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Gc 

974. 102 

1687320 


REYNOLDS  HISTORF^AI 
GENEALOGY  COLLECTION 


SKETCHES 

OF  THE 


HISTORY  OF  THE 


TOWN  OF  CAMDEN 

MAINE; 

INCLUDING  INClDE>rT.U,  aEFEBrNCES  TC  TH  B 

iNEIGKBORING  PLACES  m  ADJACE.Tf  WATERS. 


By  JOHN  L.  LOCKE, 

MEMBEK  OF  THE  MAINE  HISTOaiCA.L  SOCIETr. 


n  A  E  L  O  W  E  L  L  : 
MASTERS,  SMITH  &  COMPA:^Y. 


1687320 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  18-59, 
By  JOHN  L.  LOCKE, 
in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  Maine. 


Note.  — The  ditTerence  observable  in  the 
typographical  execution  of  tliis  work,  is 
attributable  to  the  fact  that  pa^es  7  to  MO 
inclusive,  wore  printed  eNewhere  than  at 
the  oifice  of  Masters,  Smith  X-  Co. 


w 


PREFACE. 


The  early  portion  of  these  Sketches,  orlginaiiy  cippearcd 
in  the  columns  of  a  local  press,*  but  upon  the  ad\'ice  of 
others,  whose  opinions  the  "vsTiter  regarded,  it  was  decided 
Q   to  change,  and  enlarge  the  scope  of  the  design,  and  issue 
the  residt  in  a  more  permanent  form. 

In  order  to  make  his  work  reliable,  the  "WTiter  has  avail- 
|vj     ed  himself  of  the  advantages  of  the  principal  public  libra- 
ries, and  State  archives  of  ^Maine  and  Massachusetts  ;  had 
access  to  many  private  collections  of  books,  papers,  and 
documents ;  consulted  town,  and  society  records,  and  ex- 
amined every  available  source  of  ^\Titten  informati(jp  within 
his  reach.   Besides  the  facts  derived  from  the  above  sources, 
^    he  has  obtained  a  large  amount  of  traditional  knowledge 
^^^from  the  lips  of  aged  sires,  some  of  whom  have  since  de- 
J     ceased,  and  from  persons  of  younger  years.    It  will  at  once 
be  perceived  that  the  task  of  collating,  and  reconciling 
the  conflicting  statements  of  WTitten  authority,  with  those 
of  oblivious  octogenarians,  has  been  no  easy  one,  and,  like 
that  of  deciphering  obscure  ^\Titing,  has  required  much 
patience,  and  some  perseverance.    Undoubtedly,  mistakes 
will  be  detected,  but  it  will  be  found  that  they  are  such  as 
will  naturally  occur  in  a  work  of  the  kind,  where  so  many 
distinct  facts  and  dates  are  involved. 

In  the  pro^gress  of  the  early  part  of  these  Sketches,  the 
\\Titer  had  occasion  to  engage  in  a  somewhat  lengthy  nevrs- 
paper  controversy,  relating  to  the  places  visited  by  Capt. 
Weymouth,  in  1G(^.">,  the  substance  of  which,  will  t)e  found 

*  In  the  Belfast  Projresnice  Age,  extending  througii  twenty-tliree 
nunihcrH,  commciu-ing  Oct.  22,  l^ol .  In  tlio  same  p  if^cr,  also  ap- 
J-^  .rfM.i  rhe  .-;:x':.-en  uumiiprs  of  tl\e  writer's  "Sketches  o:  the  Early 
History  oi'  Ueliaat,"  comiuencing  April  10,  18-56. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/sketchesofhistorOOIock_0 


iv  PREFACE.  ■;.  ■ 

in  the  openingj  number  of  this  book,  and  which  was  the 
basis  of  the  discussion.  The  ^ATiter  sees  no  suthcient  rea- 
son why  he  should  change  the  position  he  then  assumed. 
In  the  fifth  vohime  of  the  Maine  Historical  Collections, 
Jloa.  ^Vni.  AVillis,  in  an  able  article,  takes  the  same  view, 
as  docs  th-c  writer.  In  a  paper  read  before  the  TvLrinc  His- 
torical Society,  at  Augusta,  the  19th  of  January,  13-59,  a 
gentleman  from  Bath  maintains  that  the  river  discovered  by 
Weymouth,  was  the  St.  Georges.  Such  a  view  appears 
more  plausible  than  the  Kennebec  theory,  but  the  v.Titer  is 
not  prepared  to  endorse  it  from  the  great  disagreement  of 
distances  tnat  must  be  overcome,  in  order  to  correspond 
with  Rosiefs  account.  Limited  space  here  forbids  the 
tiling  of  other  strong  objections  to  this  newly  broached 
theory. 

During  the  collecting  of  his  materials,  the  writer,  Vv'hile 
he  has  met  with  apathy  and  indifference  from  a  few,  has 
had  occasion  to  appreciate  the  interest  evinced  by  the  many, 
w  iii)  }iave  willingly  imparted  to  him  the  desired  information. 
Among  those  who  are  worthy  of  especial  mention  in  this 
comicction,  are  the  late  James  Richards,  Ilobt.  Thorndike, 
and  Eph*n\  Barrett,  and  also  James  Thorndike,  Nathan 
Broun,  Simeon  and  Coburn  Tyler,  Asa  Richards,  Robert 
Harkncss,  Esq.,  INIrs.  Lucy  Eaton,  Mrs.  Mary  Curtis,  Benj. 
Cusiiiuij,  Esq.,  Dr.  J.  H.  Estabrook,  Frederick  Conway, 
Es(i.,  H  ju.  Hiram  Bass,  Hon.  E.  K.  Smart,  Samuel  Chase, 
Esq.,  X.  L.  Josselyn,  Esq.,  and  J.  H.  Curtis,  Esq.  And 
also  tlie  \ATiter  v/ould  recognize  the  MX-U-timed,  and  volun- 
tary assistance  of  Rev.  John  L.  Sibley,  Librarian  of  Har- 
vard C'jUegc,  and  the  suggestions  of  C}tus  Eaton,  Esq.,  of 
Warren. 

^^  itli  inucii  ddffidcnce,  the  wTiter  now  submits  his  work 
of  u.'.pret'.ndin-  nivrit,  to  his  i\.llow  citi/.eiis,  and  the  pub- 
he,  h'.p;iig  its  errors  and  defects,  will  not  be  dealt  too  un- 
!;inJ'\  '.Vita,  and  that  it  nuiy  be  accepted  as  a  conmbution 
towards  che  history  of  the  Dirigo  State. 

Camdlx,  Feb.  20,  18.39.  J.  L.  L. 


CONTENTS. 


Nj.  I.  Introcluotory  Remarks  —  Martin  Pring's  Yoyjigc  — 
rieor:re  "NS^eymoutli's  Voyage  —  Monheiran  —  A  Itloott-d 
Question  —  The  Strttement  —  St.  Geor^ies  IsLinds — The 
I'r(x>f —  '<  The  Great  Kiver"  —  Weymouth  kuids  at  Goose 
lliver  —  '<  The  :Mountain3"  —  The  Three  Hills"  —  De- 
scription of  the  Country  —  A  Resume  —  Woymouth's 
Depiirture   .       .  .12 

No.  II.  Strachey's  Notice  of  Camden  Mountains  —  Capt. 
Argal  —  Capt.  John  Smith's  Visit  —  Mecaddacut  —  Dan- 
bnrte  —  Smith's  Colony  Projoc-t  —  War  between  the Etch- 
eiuin;*  and  Abenaqiies  —  Tarratines  and  Waweaocks  — 
The  Basheba  killed  —  A  Plague  —  Its  Deya.-'tations  —  A 
Reflection — Muj.  Church's  Expedition — Mathebestuck 
Hills  —  Joseph  York  iS 

No.  III.  Tiie  Muscongus  Grant  —  Its  Limits  —  It  falls  to 
Prcsidei.t  Lever  .'tt  —  The  Ten  Proprielors  —  The  Thirty 
Proprietors  —  A  Dithculty  —  Gen.  Vv'aldo's  mission  —  Ilia 
Success,  and  P^ew-ard  —  Inducements  od'ered  to  Emi- 
grants—  Extract  from  one  of  the  Genoi-al's  Circulars  — 
Anotlier  Version  of  Waldo's  Death  —  Dissolution  of  Part- 
nership—  The  Twenty  Associates'  Portion  —  The  Ten 
Propnetors'  Portion —  Deficiency  —  The  Waldo  Patent  — 
The  "Absentees"  —  Knox's  Titles  Confirmed  —  History  set 
right — A  Glance  at  the  Secret  History  of  Waldo  Pa- 
tent—  Knox's  Death  —  Note.  •       .       .       .  2L 

No.  IV.  The  Survey  of  Camden  —  The  Original  Boundary  — 
Part  of  Canaan  Annexed  —  The  Present  Boundary  — 
Number  of  Acres  Contained  —  Jas-  Richards  Settles  at 
Megunticook  —  Negro  Island  Named  —  Indians  —  Robt. 
Thorndike  Settles  at  Goose  River  —  Maj.  Minot  Erects 
Mills  and  the  First  Frame  House  —  Lewis  Ogier  —  Otlier 
Settlers  —  Clam  Cove  Settled  —  Dodapher  Riehard^s'  Ad- 
venture with  the  Wolves  —  Miller  and  the  Destitute  Fam- 
ily—  Doggerel  Verso  —  Name  of  Indian  Island  —  Origin 
of  the  Nuinc  of  Goose  River  —  First  ^V'hite  Childi  bora 
in  Camden  31 

No.  V.  Commencement  of  the  Revolution  —  A  Shaving 
Mill"  visits  Clam  Cove  —  Pomroy  Pilots  the  Marauderjs 


V'- 


Li, 


f 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


to  Jameson's  Hou.'^e  —  House  llansackecl  —  Cattle  Killed 

—  Au  American  Privateer  in  Sight  —  Janu'?f)U  Vows  Re- 
venge —  The  Sequel  —  Pomroy's  Flou'^ini:  —  ^Marauders 
Visit  Megunticook — The  Kuse  of  Metcak  and  Wells  — 
The  Pceeeption  siven  the  Assaihiuts  —  Minot's  iloiise 
Burned —  Mrs,  Ogier's  Feint  —  Otlicr  Houses  Burned  — 
Exploit  of  Dow  —  Departure  of  the  Invaders  —  Long, 
the  Tory  Pilot  —  Thrown  Upon  a  Tire  —  "Metcalf  settles 
the  Old  St  ore  with  him  —  Commended  by  Col,  Fo«)te  — 
An  American  Coaster  Pursued  by  an  Ihit^lish  Bari^e  — 
Kuns  Ashore  at  Oujier's  Cove  —  The  Enemy  Foiled  by  the 
Settlers  —  Anutlier  Attempt  upon  Idegunticook  —  Scotch 
Highiandcrs  Visit  Clam  Cove  in  Search  of  Deserters  — 
Gregory  Forced  to  Accompany  tliem — Accomplish  their 
Errand  37 

Xo.  VI.  The  Maiorbi^uyduce  Expedition  —  Volunteer.^  from 
Ciumden  —  E^abarkation  —  Arrive  at  Biguyduce  —  The 
Skirmisli  —  Saltonstall  —  The  Deieat  —  American  Fleet 
Destroyed  —  The  Retreat  —  A  party  pass  tJirough  Cam- 
den—  The  Fortiiication  on  Pine  llili — Camden  as  an 
Asylum  —  Oatli  of  AlleLdance  olitrcd  the  Americans  — 
Beil'ast  Evacuated  —  Settlers  tiee  to  (Jamden  —  The  En- 
campment at  Clam  Cove  —  Names  of  othcers  —  Force 
stationed  at  the  Uarbor  under  Burton  —  A  "  Sha\'ing 
mill"  visits  Goose  River  —  Incident — A  Battle  among 
the  bears  —  The  ranker  bear  lulled  —  A  white  faced  bear 
kdled.       .       .  42 

No.  VII.  Capture  of  an  East  Indiaman  by  Capt.  Tucker  — 
Chased  by  Capt.  Mowett  —  Robt.  I'horndike  taken  as 
Pilot — Runs  into  New  2vleadnws — lllockadod — Escapes 

—  P^uns  into  Salom  —  'Ihorndike  Rewarded  —  Another 
Chase  —  An  Eniiash  and  an  American  Privateer  at  Goose 
Pciver  —  John  liajkness'  Exploit  —  Heroism  of  .Miss  Ott 

—  Tlie  D.irk  Div  —  Penobscot  Bay  frozen  over  —  Long, 
the  Tory,  taken  Prisoner —  Peace  Declared —  Reception  of 
the  news  —  A  JubUant  time  —  Toasts  given  —  A  Rcilcc- 
tion  18 

No.  VIII.  Mciicali's^  exploit  with  a  h&iv — •  Anoihor  bear 
story — Michael  Davis  the  burner — His  iir)|><Mrance  de- 
scribed—  C.iu.-e  a-sigr.od  rrir  his  Eccentri;:ii  y —  I  ne  real 
Cause  —  The  Moo.-e  incidt^'nt — His  pecuiiaricies — The 
Intruding  Moose  —  Relinquished  Hunting — His  death.  52 

No.  ITv.  The  f..r^t  d-^atli  in  (.""aiiidcn  —  Emigration  a  jain  {lows 
Eastward — A  Scheme  :or  oiuaining  Settlers —  I'i-e  Plan 
applied  f)  Barh.■it.>lo^^  .i. —  I  he  Indueemout.-.  <•>■'•  r--\  to 
Settle  in  Cauiden  —  2>a'uc--.  oi  t''in-,e  who  ficfopu-l  >aid 
Conditions — Samuel  Aj'picton  and  ?\ ai.hr'.rsiel  !Lvcner 
Settle  here  —  The  Bachelors'  Lodige  —  Appicton  removes 


CONTENTS. 


vii 


to  Barretts  town —  Returns  to  Boston  and  dies  a  ]Million- 
aire  —  Hosinor  hixes  out  ^vith  a  Mr.  Brooks  —  Erects  a 
Cabin —  Followed  by  IIod','inan  and  sister  —  A  bit  of  Ro- 
mance—  A.  Hosmer,  sifters,  Ru-sell  and  Sarteile  fouow 

—  The  bridle  path  —  Incident  —  A  Bear  Incident  —  "SVm. 
Mol yueaux,  Esq..  piurcha^ts  lands  —  Erects  liis  Mills  —  Hi^< 
uorde  de-.cent  —  Tiie  Society  in  which  ho  moved  —  A  fault 

—  Hi?  love  of  Nature  —  His  place  described  —  His  "SVal- 
tonian  Inclinations  —  Traits  of  Character  Illustrated  — 
Modern  Excursioiusts  —  Anecdote  —  M.'s  ^^larriage  —  His 
History  Investigated  —  His  death  —  A  Keraark.      .       .  .59 

No.  X.  The  first  trader  —  His  heginninc;  —  His  partner  — 
Dissolution  of  partnership  —  Dergcn  removes  to  the  Har- 
bor —  His  brotlier  —  Dergen  returns  to  Ireland  —  His  suc- 
ce>.-or  —  Fir.--t  Physician  —  Names  of  puices  —  Mezunfi- 
cooX  —  Meeadducket — A  Tradition — ^^necul:!tive  thoughts 

—  ."fi^iudcatiou  of  litdiaji  nanies — l'r.)riiinci:itiou — Mt. 
Batiy  —  Megunticook  Mouut  iiii  —  (.'hickawakie  —  [Noi  k, 
on  Indian  names] — The  iirst  road  hiid  out  —  [Note: 
Origin  of  the  name  of  Ducktrapi  — Death  of  a  traveler.  t)5 

No.  XL  Caradon  Plantation  —  [Notj:  :  Lincoha,  Hancock  and 
AValdo  Counties.]  —  iMcLruiiticook  —  Caindeu  Incorporat- 
ed—  Origin  of  the  naine  —  Extract  from  Eord  Camden's 
t^i^eech  —  First  Town  Meeting  —  Names  of  C'diccrs  cho-^en 

—  Nuiubcr  of  votes  polled  —  Impounding  of  swine  — The 
lirstBiii:i:e  —  .Mr.  McGlathry  couLracts  to  buii..l  one  at  the 
loot  of  the  i^tream  —  Disagreement  —  Final  Ail;usrment  of 
tlie  case  —  i'ersons  Warned  out  of  Town  —  The  first 
J>chool-houiie  —  Money  raised  for  School  —  Schooi  Teach- 
ers 70 

No.  XII.  Qualiticarlons  for  voters  —  Preaching  —  Scarcity  of 
Mini>tcrs  —  Toavu  lined  for  not  having  a  settled  Minister 

—  Military  affairs  —  vState  separation  question  —  Po.-^t- 
ciHcc  e-tablished  —  First  Post-master — Mail  Carrier  — 
Tusvn  ?>Icftings — Town  expenses  —  School  and  Minis- 
terial lots  donated  to  the  Town  —  The  Foote  House  — 
Nain-ra  of  transient  Prea-'hers — Rev.  Paul  Coiliu's  de- 
t-c/iptiou  of  Camden  —  S:)cial  Library  —  Proposition  to 
>.uild  a  Mes'tiu:,'  ilou^e  —  Political  ailiiirs  —  Parish  T^ix  — 
Non-coni'u-iuiscs  protc-.-t  ;igainst  being  assessed  —  Separa- 
tion (^iiostiun  again  —  MmscuIc  alfairs  —  Ttixcs  collected 

for  notlung"  —  proposition  to  divide  tiic  Town  —  The 
old  Meeting  House  7S 

No.  Xiri.  An  A(|uaduct  laid  —  Rev.  Mr.  Pilishury  —  Efforts 
to  ]/r^)CUie  a  j-iiiu^ter  —  'iVtv.'n.  ey;.'en'^L's  —  T'iO  I'-Lrnpiko 

—  T.i-i  iNLouiiL  tin  i'a.>s — Its  .Srciu-ry — Mode  of  UL-ckiiig 
the  Turnpike — An  Ineideut — {'ci.z  of  tb.e  Turnpike  — 
I'urchiiscch  by  Camden  and  Lincolnvdie —  D;ini'_;l  Jirirrctt 


viii  CONTENTS. 

—  Picturesqixe  Scenery  —  Rev.  Joshua  Hall  preaches,  and 
teaches  School  here  —  Members  of  his  Society  —  The  I.o^ 
School-house  —  Goose  River  Bridges  83 

No.  Xr\'.  Tiither  Sewall's  allusion  to  Canxden  —  The  Town 
e;s:tend5  a  ''caii"  to  Rev.  T.  Cochran — [Note] — His  salary 

—  Pissenters  —  Ordination  Day  —  RcLrarded  as  a  ''high 
day"  —  Death  of  a  <  rluttou  —  The  Installation  —  Proceed- 
incrs  —  Quakers  —  First  Universalist  Preaching  —  Free 
Will  Baptist>i  and  Methodists  —  Votes  for  Governor  — 
Proposition  for  the  Protection  of  Fish  —  Question  oi  Sep- 
aration fr  jiu  Ma.>sach\isetts  agitated  —  Ammunition  —  Tne 
iiml'arizo  —  Infraction  of  the  Act —  An  Instance  —  A  Ves- 
sel seized  by  Collector  Farley  —  A  Bond  given  as  security 

—  Sails  for  France  —  Faurtie  to  recover  Bonds  —  Our 
Citizens  petition  the  President  for  the  removal  of  tnc  Em- 
bar:;-o  —  The  Commonwealth  of  Mitssachusetts  petitioned 

—  The  Restriction  removed  —  lL->g  R.'eves  —  Th^  I'ltiver- 
salists  form  a  Society  —  Reading  of  Sermons  —  Mcjnbers 
of  said  Society —  Votes  for  Governor  —  Bounty  olt>red  on 
"Wild  Cats  and  Crows  — ^^Maj.  Jos.  Pierce  —  Tiie  OM  Man- 
won  House  —  Maj,  Peirce  decamps  with  the  Llecords  of  the 
Twenty  Associates  92 

Xo.  XV.  The  Last  War — An  Embargo  —  Action  of  the 
Town  —  A  jlemorial  presented  —  War  Declared  —  A 
Committee  of  Safety  ap[iointcd  — Every  Citi::en  to  be  pre- 
pared lor  actual  service  —  ;Milir:u-y  ammunition  —  The 
Militia  of  Massachusetts  —  Ti;e  Division  of  Maine  —  Reg- 
imental orders  issued  —  Camden  Companies  assomble  at 
Eager's  Tavern  —  Cavalry  Company  formed  —  An  Alarm 
list  organized  —  Voluntc-er  Coriipany  rai-ed  —  Start  for 
I'ort  Sr.  George — Sail  fur  Machias  —  A  Recruiting  Sta- 
tion encd —  The  number  Enlisted — The  Battles  thoy 
were  engaged  in  —  Chesloy  Blake  —  ihig  ig<^'"^ei^f-  between 
the  Enterprise  and  Boxer  —  Metcalf  and  i'arr — Bravery 

—  Paul  Thorndike,  Jr.,  taken  by  the  English  and  carried 

to  Dartmoor  Prison  —  His  Yankee  Stories.      .       .  .97 

No.  XVI.  Britt-ih  "War  Vessels  —  Capt.  Fogler  chased  by  an 
Engh.-h  Privateer  —  linns  ashore  —  Incident  of  an  Amer- 
ican Privateer  and  Coaster  —  A  Mistake  —  Capt.  Bates 
captured  by  a  Bririsii  l'riv;;tO'.'r --- A'e>.-.cl  re-t.-u.eu  by 
Long  [slanders —  Capt.  iJ^tes  a^ain  captured  by  aii  Eng- 
lish Privateer Capt.  S{>.-itr"s  \"e-,sel  entrapped  and  tal^en 

—  Prizes  carried,  co  F*..v  Islands  —  An  ominous  silence  — 
The  Watchword --- The  Sviddca  Salute ---Tbe  decks 
cleared --- The  Captain  killerl --- The  Cable  cut --- The 
Steward  shot  —  An  attempt  at  defence --- Privateer  es- 
c:-.p*  ,  ---  An  iu-.i  lc  vie  A-  'Li-a;  Y.i;;';c):>  S:;il!■^r---  A  S'  ono 
in  the  C.-ibin --- A  CoUoriuy --- I'apers  Re..tc-rcd  — -  The 
Prlioners  release<l  ---  Capture  of  the  Privateer  ---  A  Grati- 
fication 104 


CONTEXTS. 


No.  XVII,  The  !ililitary  Companies  ---  Officers  of  the  Light 
Iiithutry  Company  —  Ojiicors  of  the  1st  Infantry  C'om- 
pnuy — Otricers  of  the  'Id  Infantry  Company  —  Cavalry 
Company — Capture  of  the  English  merchant  snip  Vic-  ■  * 
tory  —  Brought  into  Camden  ---  Her  Ca.rgo  ---  I'uties  — 
Cariro  sold  at  Auction  —  Goods  transported  to  Boston  — 
Damaged  Coliee  —  Victory  carried  to  Hampden-— A 
Stratagem -— Levying  "War  Tax --- Ilobt.  Chase  appoint- 
ed as  Collector  ---  A  Ilvimorous  Incident  ---  The  Tattling 
Clf)ck  --- The  To wTi  votes  additional  pay  for  the  drafted 
Militia —  St.  George's  Fort  surpri-^ed  by  an  English  bargo 
—-Col.  Foote  c;dls  out  part  of  his  Ile^iment  —  Guards 
gtatioued  in  Camden  — -  Parapets  erected  —  Descripticm  of 
thera — A  lament  at  the  de^-truction  of  tlie  onhj  relic  of 
the  L;i>t  War---  (.'aiinon-^  obiaiuud  from  Fort  St.  Geon;o 
and- planted  on  Mr.  I^itty --- Barrack. —  Names  of  those 
stationed  on  the  Mountain  —  Guards.      .       .       ,  .111 

No.  XVIII.  The  V.  S,  Sloop-of-"\\'ar  Adams  ---  Kuns  ashore 
on  the  Isle  au  Haut  —  Brouglit  into  Cam<ien  ---  Lands 
part  of  her  crew  sick  with  the  ^  urvy  ---  Prisoners  landed 
"-The  Adams  goes  to  Hampd.en --- British  OrHcers  ad- 
mitted to  their  parole  —  Death  of  one  of  ttie  Prisoners  — 
Lieut.  Ilanford  marches  the  Prisoners  to  "Wiscasset  — 
Fruitless  >;earch  for  the  Officers  ---  Bribes  a  Pilot  to  convey 
tlnMu  to  Ea?.tport --- One  of  them  re-taken --- The  othe  rs 
pui-ued (Jv  crtaken  aiid  re-cajitured --- Olficers  rise 
upon  tlicir  car  tors --- llelease  their  companions --- Take 
the  muskets  and  best  boat  and  shape  their  course  for  East- 
port---  Beturn  of  our  Party---  The  Pilot  sent  to  Portland 

—  Convicted —- Pardoned  IIG 

No.  XIX-  A  British  Squadron  sails  from  Halifax --- Enters 
Penobscot  Bay  —  Demand  the  Surrender  of  Castine  Fort 

—  Fort  Blown  up  ---  Kctreat  of  Lieut.  Lewis  -—  Castine 
taken  possession  of  —  i'roclamation  issued  —  Belfast  oc- 
cupied by  the  enemy  —  The  IIamp<icn  skirmish  ---  A 
eight  seeing  party  captured --- Belea.-^t'd --- Appre'iension 
of  an  attack  on  Camden  —  Brigade  Order---  Munitions  of 
War  fcr  the  Forts  ---  Col.  Footo's  Kcicinicnt  mu.stered  ---  :  : 
Individual  actio!-.s —- Military  Orders--- Col.  Thatcher's 
Kegiment  ordere.l  to  Canuien -— Bcifasc  and  other  Com- 
panies—- Additional  Military  supplies  for  the  Parapets  --- 
The  licwtile  iieet  sails  for  Halifax --- Military  Companies 
dismissed -— Rations  '  .       .       .  123 

No.  XX.    Capture  of  Ki':hards  and  Oat  by  a  Bvidsli  b.arge 

(.\-rried  to  l"i>'-..nr.:v  s  Inland  —  A  Ri-pi-.-i  —  Oth.VCap- 

tarcs  —      >.i„n;r  C^rui.^e  —  Fifed  up.)a  i.t  v  :u  (..'uvt  —  - 

Steer  for  LaL>dtll  s  I-^land  ---  R'jinaiu  ov^  r  ;.ig::.t  ---  Brt-ak- 
tx-it -— Purchase  BiLitcr  of  tb.e  Islajidcrs --- Rich;.a-d  re- 
tuses  to  be  Lircd  as  i'llot  —  The  Ruiea.->e --- Arrive  in  .  ■ 


X 


CONTENTS. 


Camden--- The  Alarm --- }*Ii]itia  Companies  march  to 
Saturday  Cove  —  The  British  repulsed  by  Lawrence  — 
They  return  and  effect  a  landing  —  Visit  Mr.  Shaw's  house 

—  Commit  violence  and  depredations  —  Visit  Capt.  Pen-  .  .  t 
dleton'a  ---  Their  conduct  ---  Proceed  to  Capt.  CrowelFa  — 

Their  actions— -The  Military  arrive —- English  fiee  to   

their  barges  ---The  "  Skirmish"  —  -The  amount  of  prop- 
erty destroyed  129 

No.  XXI.  Foraging  Parties  —  A  British  Privateer  attempts 
to  vi^it  Ciam  Cove  —  The  unexpected  reception  they  re- 
ceived—  A  lire  opened  upon  the  Patriots — The  Enemy 
conclude  to  depart  ---  A  Waggish  Sergeant  ---  Plays  tricks 
upon  a  Minutf-man  ---Tries  another  and  "catches  a  I'ar- 
tax"---  Siiiu^'giing  ---  Letter  ol  Collector  Farley  relating  to  ' 
the  Em;;;ir',ro  A'.'ts,  ice. —  Suspected  Smug.;'er3  —  A 
party  prepares  to  intercept  them ---The  later  information 

—  Disbanded --- Disappointment.     .....  13x 

No.  XXII.  The  interception  of  Smugglers  ---  An  armed  crew 
under  Maj.  Noah  Miller  captures  an  English  pri/ce  — 
Brought  to  Camden  —  Cargo  transported  to  Warren  — 
Tlie  Sloop  secreted  in  St.  George's  Kiver —  Miller's  Com- 
mis.sion  ---  TNutk  :  The  prize  sold  and  the  proceeds  divid- 
ed'; ---Tlie  Britisli  Frigate  Furieuse  dispatched  to  Camden 

—  Families  leave  Town  ---  A  Flag  of  Truce  sent  ashore 

—  Ti;e  summons -— A  Citizen's  ^Meeting  called  —  Com- 
mittee chosen  to  wait  upon  Com.  Mounccy  —  A  Colloquy 

 An  Incident --- Hostages  loft  on  board —  A  re([uest 

for  aid  sent  to  Wiirren  ---  A  difference  between  Colonels 
Foote  and  Tliatcher  —  ^laj.  Heed's  Battalion  —  Nurrihor 
of  Tro'^ps  ---  Squire  Dorithy's  Story  ---  An  Alarm  ---  The 
Mount.an  Guard  —  Col.  Foofe's  calculations  to  retreat  — 
Anecdote--- T'he  Frigate  sails  with  the  hostages  on  board 

—  Maj.  Wilson  fired  at —- Tlie  Military  Companies  dis- 
mi-^sed  —  The  hostages  return —  Action  of  the  Town  on 
rewarding  them  -—  Peace  Proclaimed  —  Demonstrations 
of  joy-— A  day  of  Thanksgiving  appointed  —  I'litish 
evacuate  Castine  Ho 

No.  XXIII.  Ecclesiastical  matters  —  The  Town  votes  to  dis- 
solve  iu*  connection  with  the  llov.  Mr.  Cochran  —  I'rt  hm- 
inary  proceedings — A  Committee  appouii(<l  to  confer 
-with  Mr.  C  — Their  action  —  Mr.  C.'s  o!^;(  '-Tir,iH  to  the 
mode  of  the  action  taken —  A  Counc  il  caiie  l  —  I  . TCf- 
ment  —  Anotlier  Council  calied  —  'l  iu;  nr,,;'-'.  —  !'.');.;ity 
Wild  Cats  —  Engine  purciia.-(  d  —  St-j.araiwn  '  ru-ri,.r.  —  . 
Caanon>  removed  from  the  M'junr.iiu -- -  1  ■  U'  I'-r  i'.ep- 
resentacive  to  Congress  —  The  vote  f^r  ( i.  •  .■s!\'.t Iho 
Temperance  (Question  tirst  moot,  d  -  i •■■■>'  •..'arnorine 
Shepherd — Particulars  relarm-^  ii..T.-to  —  {  T'-.wn'a 
Poor— Money  voted  iur  Preaching— i .•?epi^!.:itu;^  (2ues- 


CONTEXTS. 


xi 


tion  again  —  AfHrmative  action  taken  —  Esquire  Martin 
ciiosen  as  Delegate —  Constitution  submittfid  to  the  people 
— Vote  I'or  State  Oiliccrs  —  The  first  Eepresentarive — A 
Fire  —  Preaching  —  The  first  Steamboat  —  The  Maine, 
Patent,  and  New  York  Ii6 

No.  XXiV,  Ecmark.s  —  Project  nf  creatlLig  a  new  County  — 
Licenses  —  Salt  "Works  —  Paper  ^liU  —  Temperance  So- 
cieties —  Politics  —  Schools  —  Cholera  —  Town  House 
built  —  Licenses  —  Mililary  AfTiiirs  —  Olninxious;  Laws  — 
Fantastical  Proceedings — Amendment  to  the  Constitu- 
tion —  Canada  liailroad  —  Light  House  erer  ted  —  Keepers 
—  Megonticook  Bank   loo 

Xo.  XXV.  Licenses  refused  to  I'ublic  Shows  —  The  Poor 
Farm  purchased  —  Surplus  Revenue  —  Military  Affairs  — 
C'lni panic-;  called  out  —  Appear  dressed  as  Fantastics  — 
Furiie  balloting  for  otticers  —  The  iiirde  —  The  democratic 
gun — Another  military  turn-out  —  Soldiers  lined  for  non- 
attendance —  The  deputy  sheriff  and  his  writs  —  Advised 
to  desist  from  his  course  —  His  p^ers!<tence  —  Gets  badly 
used  —  His  flight  —  Case  laid  before  the  Governor  —  The 
trial  —  Adjourned  —  Atrial  before  the  court — The  deci- 
sion —  Another  prosecution  —  Proceedings  quashed  — 
Anotlier  attempt  at  training  —  Threatenincs  —  Otlicer  mo- 
lested —  Comes  again  —  Mditary  orders  issued  again  — 
Tlvc  Mejunticook  Indians  —  Discomliture  of  the  ofiicer  — 
Conclusion  of  the  matter  —  Camden  Lyceum  —  Goose 
Iviver  poi^t-otiice  estabUshed  —  J.  il.  Shaw  and  the  Ameri- 
can Citi/cn  —  ILirrisonian  times  —  V/hig  gun  and  Hag 
Ptatf — State  election  —  Washmgtonian  cause — Celebra- 
tion—  The  Independent  Temperance  Society  —  Youth's 
Temperance  Society  —  Their  pic-nic — Visit  of  the  U.  S. 
steam  frigate  Missouri  162 

No.  XXVI.  Secret  Societies  —  Odd  Fellows  —  Re-organiza- 
tion of  the  Masonic  Lodge  —  Sons  of  Temperance  —  Divi- 
sion organized  —  Olhcers —  A  Celebration  —  Dissolution 
of  the  organization  —  Bcauchamp  Division  —  Mt.  Pleasant 
Division— -Vesper  I.  O.  of  O.  F.  Lorl-e  —  A  Debating 
Club  and  Lyceum  tbrmed — Ladies'  LJ  r  iry  formed  at 
Goose  Kiver —  Ti'iaple  of  Honor  LodiiC'  xnri.uvd  —  Kecords, 
^;c.,  burned  —  Bra-s  Band  —  Members  —  P  j  iuchaiup  Liglit 
built — Camden  created  a  port  of  entry  —  An  Academy 
opened  and  closed  —  Tiic  Camden  Adi-i-rtisor  —  Spindles 
and  Buoys  erecte;!  —  Tl;e  name  of  ("ioo>?  llivir  changed 
to  Rockport  —  Causes  a  Xews'iaper  discussi  jI\  —  Tlie  I'ine 
e  l>tate,  campai /n  -!ieot — its  tirculati.^-,.  xc.  —  Elec- 
tion —  A  hre  —  ^iitjj-buii.Ung  interest  —  ie'egraph  — 
Temperance  W.iteuva.ui's  Club  formed  —  An  American 
Councd  established  —  .Vueiiiotes  —  XunicriL  u  strength  of 
Political  Parties — ^lr;^-^  Band  organi/.ed  —  Members  — 


mi 


Xii  CONTENTS.  ;  ;: 

Bugle  presented  to  the  Leader  —  The  Camden  Moun- 
taineers—  Ofiicers  —  WestCamden  lliile  Coinpuuy  —  Po- 
litic ai  affairs  178 

RELIGIOUS  SOCIETIES.  Free- Will  Baptist  Churcli  at 
"West-Camden  —  First  Coni^rep^ationalist  Chiirolx  at  Cam- 
den—  First  Baptist  Church  at  West-Camden  —  Second 
Baptist  Church  at  Camden  —  First  Uniyersalist  Society  at 
Camden  —  The  ^Methodist  Societies  at  Camden  and  Rock- 
port —  Third  Baptist  Church  at  Rockport  —  Second  Con- 
<rregationali->t  Church  at  lloc'kport — Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  at  Camden  —  Spiritualists  192 

BIO  GRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  Lieut.  J.  Ilarkness  —  Capt. 
W.  McGlathrv  —  S.  Jacobs,  Esq.  —  D .  Barrett  —  M.  Trus- 
scil  — E.  Wood  — B.  Silvester  — B.  Cushinc;,  Esq.  — J. 
Hathaw'iy,  Esq.  —  Dr.  J.  Patch  —  Col.  E,  Foote  —  Dr.  J. 
Huse  —  Capt.  C.  Curtis  —  R.  Chase,  Esq.  —  X.  Martin, 
Esq.  —  W.  Parkman,  Esq.  —  A.  Bass  —  Maj.  E.  Hanford 

—  J.  Nicholson  —  F.  Hall,  Esq.  —  Hon.  J.  Hall  —  Hon. 
J.  Th.ayer  — Capt.  W.  Xorwood  — F.  Jacobs  —  Gen.  A. 
H.  HoJgman  —  Hon.  J.  Wheeler  —  J.  Jones  —  S.  Bar- 
rows, Esq.  —  N.  Dillingham  —  Dea.  J.  Stetson  —  Hon. 
B.  J.  Porter  —  Capt.  S.  G.  Adams  —  Dr.  J.  H.  Estabrook 

—  Hon.  E.  K.  Smart  —  Hon.  M.  C.  Blake.      .       .  .209 

A  ^TEW  OF  CAMDEX  AS  IT  IS  —  18o9.  Remarks-  The 
five  villages  of  Camden  —  The  Mountains  —  Mt.  Battie  — 
Mt.  Megunticook  —  B<dd  ^Mountain  —  Rag^u-d  ]\Iountain  — 
Coast  Survey  Station  —  Mt.  Pleasant  —  Other  elevations 

—  Description  of  Mt.  Battie  and  Mt,  2*Iegunticook  —  ^'iews 
from  their  summits  —  Ball  Rock  —  Ponds  —  Wawenock 
Cave  —  Industrial  resources  —  The  Lime  Manufacturing 
Interest  —  Vv'ater  privileges  —  Account  of  all  the  Water 
Power  Establishments  upon  Megunticook  stream  —  Spring 
Brook,  Harrington's  Brook,  Goose  River  Stream,  Oyster 

•   River  Stream,  and  the  mills,  &c.,  upon  the  same — Ice 
Bu3inej?s  —  Ship-building  —  X'avigation  Statistics  —  The 


Fishing  Interest  —  Agriculture  —  School  Aiiairs  —  Liter- 
ary Societies  —  Growth  of  the  town — Concluding  Re- 
marks 2tO 

BtTSiNESs  Reglstes.  258 

AppEXDrx  265 


1 


IIISTOKY  OF  CAMDEX. 


IntroUactory  Remarks— Martin   rririT's  Voyage— Geo.  TTeymcuth'* 
Vcyaiie— Alonhegaa— A  Mooted  Question— T!:e  fetatemeut -St.  Geort-e* 
ihe  Proof— "The  Great  Iliver  ■'—Weymouth  la::U-=  at  Goose 
Eiver— "  The  Mountains  '"—The  -  Ttree  Hills  '■-Description  ol  the  Coun- 
try—A Kesume — Weyiuouth's  Departure- 


]^IOXG  the  towns  of  Waldo  County  possessing  claims  of 


Ll:-*-orIc  intere.>t,  perhaps  there  is  none  more  entitled  to 


notice  ihan  that  of  Camden.  Altbougli  iLe  date  ot  i  s 
settlement  is  comparatively  recent,  yet,  there  are  events  cou- 
ne:ted  with  its  hjcaliLV,  \yhieh  date  back  anterior  to  our 
earUest  colonial  history. 

As  but  a  small  portion  of  the  ear:/  history  of  thij:  town  ha* 
ever  bwen  written,  and  as  that  part  which  is  unrecorded,  known 
only  to  the  memory  of  our  most  aged  citizens,  is  fast  passing 
mto  oblivion,  we  purpose  here  to  write  a  few  sketches,  the  facta 
of  which  are  nut  acce.s.sille  to  ail,  for  the  pleasure  of  the  reader, 
'and  for  future  proservation. 

We  need  not  look  abroad  in  que.^t  of  interesting  historical 
reminiscences  when  they  are  so  rife  in  our  very  mi^Ist,  and,  liko 
scattered  flowers,  have  only  to  be  gathered  in  a  cluster,  In  order 
to  be  apprctnatt.'d  and  admired.  L.oaving  the  comph^fe  h-.story 
of  this  town  ior  the  pen  of  its  future  iujtciian,  iha'i  contea: 
oarself  with  merely  wriunr  a  tew  memorial?,  which  wa  have 
obtained  at  sundry  timea  from  the  lirj  of  clderiy  witnesses,  or 
ji^'.canod  Irom  jld  records,  book;?,  ^nd  papora. 


} 


OK-'^  SKE rents  ui  iue 

Of  all  the  early  voyagers  who  visited  this  co:\st  up  to  the  year* 
1003,  Martin  Pring,  an  English  navigator,  appears  to  have  ap- 
proached the  nearest  to  Camden. 

He  entered  Penobicot  bay  as  far  as  Fox  Inland  (which  he 
thus  named  because  of  the  silver  gray  ioxes  he  saw  there)  and 
■was  highly  pleased  with  the  view  he  had  of  a  "  high  country  full 
of  great  woods,"* — which,  it  is  easy  to  conceive,  he  applied  to 
tliis  vi-jinlty. 

Capt.  George  Weymouth,  who  was  dispatched  from  England 
in  Ib'OJ,  under  the  patronage  of  two  English  noblemen,  w-th 
the  ostensible  purpose  of  discovering  a  N.  W.  passage  to  China, 
but  manifestly  to  maintain  the  cl  liuis  of  Britain  against  the 
assumptions  of  France, — is  the  first  European  claimed  to  have 
visited  this  locality.  Weymouth  left  Dartmouth  Ilaveu  on  the 
last  day  of  March  with  a  company  of  2U  persons, — all  told, — 
and  on  the  1  Tth  day  of  May  he  descried  land.  James  RoL^ier. 
the  journalist  of  the  voyage,  describes  it  as  follows:  "  It  ap- 
peared a  mean  highland,  as  we  after  found  it,  being  an  island 
of  some  six;  miles  in  compasa."  ''About  12  o'clock  that  day, 
■we  came  to  anchor  on  the  north  side  of  this  island,  about  a 
league  from  the  shore,"  From  hence  we  might  discern  the 
main  land  from  the  W.  S.  W.  to  the  E.  N.  E.  and  a  great 
■way,  (as  it  then  seemed  and  we  after  found  it,)  up  into  tho 
main  we  might  discern  very  high  mountains,  though  the  maia 
seemed  but  low  land.'' *  The  island  here  mentioned  is  con- 
ceded by  all  historiographers  who  have  written  upon  the  subject 
of  late  years  to  be  Monhegan, — and  from  this  point  we  enter 
upon  controverted  ground.  Before  resuming  the  thread  of  the 
narrative  we  will  here  take  a  cursory  view  oi  the  ^piestion  that 
the  reader  may  the  better  understand  the  subject.  Until  the 
year  1707  the  places  visited  by  Weymouth  were  a  matter  of 
conjecture, — Oidmixion  supposing  ihey  were  in  the  vicinage 
of  James  River  in  Virginia,  while  Beverly  affirmed  the  locale  to 
have  been  the  IIud^Tn  iliver,  N,  Y.  But  had  they  read 
Uosier's  'ourn:\l  v\  or  seen     Strach'^y'^  Accourit," 

they  would  not  have  failoa  into  iujh  an  error.    In  1797  Dr. 

*  \V(-ymr.iuh's  voyaj.'?  in  Ma'-*,  liis.  Coll.  vol.  VIII.,  i:^ ;  al^o  ditto  :n 
••  T'T'-lia.''  uin  I'll.'^rioies,  '  IV..  i.v.m.    Ho!rnf-;>'*  AiitirI-',  I., 


■J 


X 


John  Foster  Wiliiams  of  the  ReveauG  Servl'^e,  to  wboQi  was 
fubaiitted  an  abstract  of  Weymouth's  voyi-re.  and  while  on  a 
cruise  to  thia  section  of  the  State,  he  visited  the  Penob-^cot  Hive?- 
and  there  discovered  the  identity  of  the  places  described  by 
Ilosier.  *  The  opinions  of  Pr.  Belknap,  foun'led  upon  the 
observation?  of  Cant.  ^yiIham?,  have  been  adhc-ed  to  up  to  th^ 
]!rcs€nt  year,  dohn  McKeen,  Ev(i.,  cf  Bran?-,vicii:,  in  a  paper 
read  before  the  Miine  Historical  Society  at  A^iqusta  last  March, 
repudiated  the  theory  of  Dr.  Belknn^n,  and  contended  that  the 
Kennebec  was  the  river  up  which  Weysnouth  sailed.  The  latter 
\iews  have  b-^-^n  advocated  by  R.  Iv.  S:"vall,  K<q..  of  Wiscasscf. 
while  another  writer  +  contends  that  the  claim  belongs  to  the 
Androscocr::in  River.  We  will  here  resume  the  account  of  Ro- 
Kier,  and  ton<-h  upon  these  different  opinfon?  as  v, c  pass  along, 
*•  The  next  day,"  continues  the  chronicler  of  the  voyage,  "  be- 
cause we  rode  too  much  open  to  the  sea  and  wind-^  we  weighed 
anchor  about  12  o'clock  and  came  along  to  the  other  island, 
raore  adjoining  to  the  main  and  in  the  road  directly  with  the 
mountains,  about  three  leagues  from  the  first  i'^Iand  where  wc 
had  anchored."  Now  by  referring  to  a  map  it  wdl  be  seen  that 
(be  only  islands  '■'about  three  '^anues''  from  ^lonhegan  ''an./ 
ii  ihr  roa  I  directly  with  the  viounfahs"  are  St.  Georges.  Mr. 
Sewail  distorts  the  narrator's  meaning  by  making  the  Damaris'- 
cove  group,  which  are  about  /ire  leagues  distant,  answer  for 
the  islands  alluded  to,  and  the  White  Jlountains  of  New 
Ilarapshire  are  made  to  pass  as  "the  mountains."  In  sailing 
over  the  spot  a  few  weeks  sin^e, — where  "Weymouth  doubtless 
made  his  observations, — we  found  the  appearance  presented,  to 
precisely  coincide  with  Rosier's  account.  The  White  Mountains 
Were  scarcely  disoerndible,  while  Camden  Heights  were  distinctly 
seen  and  were  the  first  landmarks  that  attracted  attention. 

Among  these  '"islands"  they  harbored,  or  in  other  words,  they 
anchored  in  St.  George's  Island  Harbor,  (which  they  named 
rcntecosc  Harbor.'')  and  not  BjOthbay  Hirbor,  as  Mi.  Sewall 
contends.    They  afterwards  "  set  up  a  cro.ss  on  the  shore  side 


•  Sae  Belknap'j"  Americaa  Biography,  vol-  il  .  pajje  to  l4i>, 
t        B^i  T-;>,uH€  ol  Aug.  U.  ls'»7. 


V 


l  -?  e-.ElTC  ni- OF   Tilt.  '        '  - 

jpca  the  rxks.''  This  incident  tends  to  id^intlfy  iLe  plate. 
Strachev, -ivho  details  the  account  of  the  unsuccessful  attempt  to 
phn:  tiie  PopLam  co'ony  at  Saga  lalioc  in  1G07,  say  a  that  St. 
George  Lis  island  v?a3  visited  by  the  colonists,  and  states  that 
'*  chey  Iband  a  cross  set  up,  one  of  the  same  ^hich  Capt.  Georje 
Weymouih  left  upon  this  island."  *  Estabhshing  the  fact  that 
St.  George's  island  was  visited  by  the  voyager,  t!ie  presumptive 
evidence  is.  that  Camden  Heights  are  th-  mountains  meant,  as 
"we  shall  further  demonstrate.  They  afterwards  sailed  up  a 
great  river,"  vrfaich  was  compared  by  those  who  had  sailed  with 
^ir  ^Valter  Pvaleigh,  to  the  river  Orenoque,"  while  others 
deemed  it  superior  to  the  Ilio  r.rande,  and  some  before  the 
river  Scire,  Seine,  anri  Bordeaux.  They  sf.iled  up  this  river 
some  60  miles.  Straehey,  in  his  Account,"  which  was  com- 
piled by  him  about  the  year  1618,  states  that  this  "great  river" 
was  the  Sagadahoc', — now  known  as  the  Androscoggin, 

The  name  of  Sagadahoc  at  present,  is  applied  to  the  place 
formed  by  the  juiiction  of  the  Androscoggin  and  Kennebec 
river-;.  It  is  e'^ident  that  the  river  Straehey  speaks  of  is  the 
Androscocgin,  and  such  is  the  view  taken  ©f  it  by  one  of  the 
writijrs  before  alluded  to.  f  When  it  is  known  that  said  river 
is  cniy  navigable  a^  far  as  Topsham  and  Brunswick, — something 
like  10  miies  £^bove  Bith — the  inference  is  at  once  suggested 
that  jpon  this  point  Strachey's  evidence  is  only  suppositive. 
IC  Strachev's  account  is  the  main  prop  of  the  argument,  it  will 
be  seen  how  reliable  it  is  on  these  premises.  It  might  appear 
to  be  the  iv.nnebfcic  river,  but  the  subjoined  extract,  from  its 
conu£C*ic-i  v/iil  show  th  it  "Weymouth  sailed  up  the  Benobscot, 
whlrh  he  journalist  says,  he  would  boldly  ajfirm  it  to  be  the 
^^osl  rich,  beautiful,  large  and  secure  harboring  river  that  the 
world  niTorded."  i  And  h  will  also  prove  the  main  point  for 
which  we  contend, — that  the  Im-ality  now  embiaced  by  Camden 
■was  visited  by  Weymouth.    Atter  sheltering  evidently  in  Goos^ 

*  ••  Straciitiy  ■»  Acoonu: ;  '  or  ••Llistoriti  of  Travii.e  in'o  Vuvicid,""  in  ine 
Ma?».  Col!.,  ¥c!.  I.,  itia  .-erits,  p. 'Jc^j;  or  ditto  ia  the  ile.  His.  Coli-, 
to!.  III.,  p-  20^j. 

t  Bath  .Vor.'ifr.i  Tri'-une,  Aug:.  14,  18.37. 

t  Ma-f.  li.*.  Co.;  ,  Vili  .  p.  Wj. 


Kiver,  ( U  >:kport.j  thn;y  went  ashore  in  quest  of  game,  er  tc  ih*- 
the  tan^ua2:e  of  the  narrator,  "  Ton  of  us  with  our  shot,  and 
r<ome  arino'l.  with  a  boy  to  cirrv  dow  ler  an-l  tnntch,  marchfiil 
up  into  the  country  towar^Is  the  niountaiu::!,  whicli  we  dis'.^erned 
at  cur  first  filiin;!  v/i'lh  the  land.  I'uto  some  of  them  the  river 
brouiiht  U3  so  near  as  we  judged  ourselves  wlien  we  landed  to 
have  been  within  a  league  of  them."  Of  course  the  Kennebec 
or  Androscog^^ri  rivers  would  not  bring  th-ra  wichin  a  lewjiui 
of  the  White  INIounrains  of  New  llimpshire  1  The  cLronicder 
of  the  voyage  continue?,  but  wo  marched  up  about  four  miles 
in  the  main  and  passed  over  three  hills."''  The  three  h^'lls  " 
may  be  considered  as  Anv-bury's  Hi'!,  Summer  street  11'}', 
( Twockport,)  and  Ogier's  lliil,  (Camden.)  They  evidently 
halted  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains,  and  proceeded  no  farther, 
*•  because  the  weatiier  was  parching  hot,  and  our  m.^n  in  thc'r 
armor  not  able  to  travel  and  return  that  niglit  to  our  ship.'* 
The  ppace  over  whi-h  they  traveled  is  thus  described  :  "In  th'  , 
iHarch  we  passed  over  very  goo  i  ground,  pleasant  and  ferti!./, 
fit  for  pasture,  for  the  space  of  some  three  miles,  having  bur 
little  %vooil,  and  that  oak  like  stand;j  left  in  our  pastures  in  Eng- 
land, good  and  great,  fit  timber  for  any  u:;e-,  some  small  birch, 
hazel  and  brake,  which  might  in  small  lime  with  fov*  men  be 
cleansed  and  made  goo<]  arable  land  :  but  as  it  now  is  will  feed 
cattle  of  all  kinds  with  fodder  enough  for  summer  and  winter. 
The  soil  is  black,  bearing  sundry  herbs,  gras-,  and  strav/berries 
bigger  than  ours  in  England.  In  many  places  are  low  thicks 
like  our  copses  of  small  young  wood-  And  truiy  it  did  resemble 
a  stately  park  wherein  appear  some  old  trees  with  high  withered 
tops  and  other  iTourishing  with  living  green  L  j':<jh:-5.  Upon  the 
hilla  grow  notable  high  timber  trees,  masts  (or  ihips  of  400  ten; 
and  at  the  bottom  of  every  bill,  a  little  ran  of  fresh  Vi^ater:  but 
the  farthest  and  last  we  passed  ran  with  a  <jreal  stream  [un- 
doubtedly the  ^Isgunticook.l  ah!e  to  drloe  a  mill."  *  Thia 
discription  answers  to  Camden  as  it  appeared  to  the  early  settlers 
8iJ  years  ago.  f    From  the  evidence  here  adduced  we  think  it 

•  Ma33.  His.  Coll.,  Via  ,  p.  143  and  150. 

tTr.e^e  vie^ar?  hare         aJvocat«d  by  on  fcth-j  Tdfi  Tnkune  ot  Julj 


12  ^KETCHKs  uF  TflK 

A^ill  appear  quite  conclusive  that  the  locality  now  embraced  by 
Camden,  -pras  visited  by  Capr.  Weymouth  in  IGOJ. 

EstaLlisbing  the  fact  that  the  place  now  known  a3  Camden 
was  visited  by  the  early  voyasyer,  the  presumptive  evidence  is, 
that  the  "  ereat  river  "  must  have  been  the  Penobscot,  and  not 
the  Kennebec. 

A  misunderstanding  ensuing  between  Weymouth  and  the 
natives,  he  captured  five  of  them,  as  is  supposed  from  St. 
George's  Kiver,  ^  soon  ail:er  which  he  sailed  for  England. 

Having  thus  exhibited  the  earliest  historic  claims  of  Camden, 
we  will  here  m^rk  the  epoch  of  our  history,  and  pass  on  to 
unfold  the  future. 

•  Sibley'3  Hist,  cf  Union,  pnge 


HiiTOUY  o~  ca>;den%  .  ' 


IN"  1X1331  Tool-  XI. 

Stracliey'3  Notice  of  Camden  Mountain^—Capt.  Arsjal— Cnpt.  Joiin 
Smith's  Visit — itecaddaouc — Dunbiirte — Smith's  C'ulony  pi  eject— War  le- 
tweec  the  ILtcherains  and  Al-eiiti  (je?— larratiaL??  tuid  \7au-ouocks— Tho 
Basbeba  killed— A  Plague— It?  Devastations— A  Retiection— ilaj.  Ciiurch  * 
Expedition- 31athebe;ti50lc  Hills — Joseph  lurk. 

H(j\\'EVER  much  this  vicinity  mav  have  been  visited  i)y 
Europeans,  between  the  years  lOO'j  and  IGU,  we  havo 
no  means  of  ascertaining,  as  there  are  no  records  avaii- 
•'^ble  to  establish  the  fact.  Our  motiRtams,  which,  for  many 
lM(n«es'  distance  serve  as  a  land  mark  for  the  mariner,  have 
al>vays  first  attracted  the  attention  of  persons  approaching  Ih;:^ 
coast,  and  are  thus  spoken  of  by  Strachey  in  the  Account  " 
before  alluded  to  ;  *  There  be  three  higli  mountaynes  that  lie 
in  on  the  Land,  the  Land  called  Segohquet,  neere  about  the 
lliver  oT  Penobscot,"  and  gives  drawings  of  their  appearance 
from  different  points  of  view. 

Although  Capt.  Samuel  Argal,  (subsequently  governor  of 
Virginia,)  visited  thdse  shores  while  in  the  pursuit  of  fishing 
and  trading  with  the  natives,  about  the  year  1G13,  yet  there  are 
no  memorials  preserved  to  warrant  us  in  classing  him  with  cur 
visitants. 

The  celebrated  Capt.  John  Smith  i  is  the  next  personag(? 
whose  name  flourishes  in  this  connection.  lie  sailed  from  Lon- 
don March  '3,  16 li,  and  arrived  at  Monheir-vn  the  last  of  April. 
Building  seven  boats  at  Monhcgan,  he  afrer  rvards,  with  eigiit  of 
hig  men,  ranged  the  coast  from  Penobscot  to  Cape  Cod,  in 

•Caput,  Vlir.,  5. 

!■  "  la  A.  D.  Vj'}''  v.  h'^n  Saiitli  wa.i  17  ytars  old:  iie  aiad»J  tiie  tour  of 
Kurope,— iiiiied  ttiret  Li.i.->...-U  oluiupiuuij  tu  .uii;.:  .  ■.  .■■...:< u'.y  and  was  hoi: • 
ored  with  a  triump"a:n  pr'/<.^.«^!f)a.  lie  was  a  [  r:  oa^n-  iu  Turkey.  His 
lifti  wa3  saved  in  Vir^'ir.a  by  Focaiijiitaa.    He  di.-a  sa  Loudon,  A.  D 


in;ikli\g  observations,  and  traOInf;  wUh  the  Imlians.  Two  years 
attervrarJs,  Smith  published  a  lx>ok:  accompanied  "vviih  a  map, 
giving  the  details  of  liis  voyage,  i?^o.  la  hia  Descriptioa  of 
New  England,  pa^je  '2i,  he  speaks  of  an  Indian  settlement  at 
Camden,  called  Mecaddacut,  as  follows  : — "  The  mo>t  northern 
part  I  wa3  at,  was  the  bay  of  Pennobscot.  -which  is  east  and 
west,  north  and  south  more  than  ten  leagues  ;  but  such  were 
my  occasions  1  was  constrained  to  be  satisfied  of  thera.  I  toiind 
in  the  bay  that  the  rirer  ran  far  up  into  the  Land,  and  was  well 
inhabited  with  many  people,  but  they  were  from  their  habita- 
tions, either  lisbing  among  the  Isles  bunting  the  lakes  and 
woods  for  deer  and  beavers.  On  the  cast  of  the  bay  are  the 
Tarraiines,  their  [the  tribes  westward  of  the  mountains,  under 
Basbeba,]  mortal  enemies  where  inhabit  the  French,  as  they 
say,  that  live  with  the  people  as  one  nation  or  family.  And  to 
the  north-west  of  i*entagoet  [Penobscot  bay]  is  Meca>luacut,  at 
the  foot  of  a  bigh  mountain,  a  kind  of  fortrosse  againt  the  Tar- 
ratines,  adjoining  to  the  high  mountaijis  of  Penobscot,  against 
•whose  feet  doth  beat  ^he  Sea.  But  over  all  the  Land,  Isles,  or 
other  impediments,  you  may  well  see  them  sixteen  or  eighteen 
leagues  from  their  situation.  Segocket  is  the  next :  thea  Nus- 
congus,  Pemmaquld,''  c^c. 

Smith  on  his  map  calls  Mecaddacut,  Dunbarton  or  Dnnbarte, 
which  we  account  for,  from  the  following  circumstance  :  On  sub- 
mitting bis  map  to  Pnnce  Charles — afterwards  Charles  I. — (at 
which  time  this  section  of  country  was  called  North  A'irginia,) 
he  gave  it  the  name  of  New  England,  and  substituted  English 
names  for  places  bearing  Indian  appellations.  The  book  retains 
the  original  name,  while  the  alterations  noted  are  made  upon 
ihe  map,  and  hence  the  reason  of  the  discrepancy.  The  name 
of  Dunbarte  does  not  aju  *  .ir  to  have  been  recognized  aside 
from  the  map,  while  that  of  New  England,  which  was  officially 
announced  soon  after  in  the  charter  to  the  Council  of  Ply- 
mouth," and  wa-5  ever  afterward  retained. 

There  is  no  vesiije  lell:  to  indicate  the  spot  on  wliich  the  " 
Indian  seitlemenc  wa,a  locattfU,  nor  of  there  being  any  Eui-o- 
pean  structures  of  any  kind  here  at  that  time, — as  s<>me  have 
sappoeed  there  -n-ere.    The  settlement  probably  siinniy  con- 


I 

I 


h 
I 


5 


CAMD'IN  lUTOnn  IT   WA^  >I  TTLKD. 


ins  run  V  ui-  OAMDtx.  17 

sIsteJ  of  movahie  wij^wains,  the  permarn.-y  of  winch  (lepenJecl 
upon  the  abundance  of  game  and  the  migratory  habits  of  tfee 
occupants. 

The  object  Smith  had  in  view  in  publishing  hli  book  and  map 
was  to  induce  the  people  of  Enirland  to  form  a  colony,  which, 
i!  his  plan  had  succeeded,  might  have  made  this  vicinity,  instead 
of  Plymouth,  the  nucleus  of  New  England.  i3ut  the  niotivp.-i 
perhaps  that  projected  the  settlement  of  Flymoutk  were  the  best 
to  give  stability  to,  and  insure  success  for,  our  infant  republic. 

During  the  year  IGi  'i  a  sanguinary  and  exterminating  war 
broke  out  between  the  two  great  divisions  of  aborigines  in  this 
State — the  Ktchfimins.  and  the  Al.'cna' jues  ;  the  former  having 
dominion  over  the  eastern  and  the  latter  over  the  western 
portion.  These  mountains  were  said  to  be  the  barriers  that 
separated  between  these  two  great  confederacies.  Nultonanit 
was  the  sachem  of  the  eastern,  and  Basheba  the  sagamore  of 
the  western  Indians.  The  eastern  tribes  were  headed  by  the 
brave  Tarratines,  and  the  western  by  the  mighty  Wawenoek?. 
This  war  waged  with  tury  for  two  yeans,  when  the  Tarratines 
Iwcame  victors  by  killing  the  Basheba.  A  famine  ensued, 
followed  by  an  unknown  epidemic  or  pestilence,  which  continued 
from  1617  to  '18,  exterminating  several  clans,  aod  devastating 
the  western .  tribes  from  the  border?  of  the  Tarratines  on  the 
east,  to  the  Narragansetts  on  the  west.  This  locality  was 
embraced  in  the  territory  of  the  Wawenocks,  but  the  Basheba's 
dwelling  place  was  near  Bristol,  then  called  Pemarj^uid. 

This  glance  at  the  history  of  the  aborigines  gives  us  a  faint 
idea  of  the  stirring  events  that  associate  themselves  with  this 
vicinity.  These  mountains,  commanding!  such  an  extensive 
prospect  of  sig}?t,  have  doubtless  served  a^  a  watch  tower  for 
many  an  Indian  scouting  party  :  been  witne;*^  to  many  an  artful 
ambu.sh,  and  unnumbered  deadly  contiicts  ;  while  our  lakes  and 
waters  have  borne  the  canoes  of  conte riding  tribes  or  echoed 
the  sound  of  the  thrilling  war-whoop.  Pacilic  scenea  exercised 
their  turn,  and  thui  lived,  and  acted,  the  red  men  of  the  forest, 
who  once  roamed  where  we  now  live. 
We  will  here  pass  over  an  interval  of  78  years,  which  will 


•  So  «»y«  (h-?  UMf>ry  of  Lvdc 


bring  us  down  to  llie  year  IGOG,  when  Maj,  Benj.  Church  made 
hid  fourth  expedition  to  the  east. 

Baron  de  Castine  at  this  time  exorcised  almost  supreme 
control  over  the  Tarratines  who  were  in  the  service  of  the 
French,  and  at  war  with  the  English,  Maj.  Church,  in  the 
language  of  his  instructions,  was  sent  on  this  expedition  "  to 
proset-ute  the  French  and  Indian  enemy."  On  his  voyage  up 
the  river  he  anchored  abreast  of  "  Mathebestuck  hills,''  which 
appeilaiion  then  belonged  to  Camden  mountai  is.  They  here 
"  landed  and  hid  their  boats,"  but  found  no  trace  of  Indian 
habitations.  He  speaks  of  taking  in  one  Joseph  York  while  on 
his  voyage  this  way,  and  which  our  authority  (Drake  in  his  ed. 
of  1829)  says  must  have  belonged  here,  but  we  can  see  no 
reason  in  the  narrative  for  the  supposition.  He  may  have  lived 
on  the  Kennebec,  where  early  proprietors  of  that  name  resided, 
but  we  have  no  proof  of  his  dwelling  here.  Nothing  further 
worthy  of  note  relating  to  this  period  connects  itself  with  our 
history. 


'  Mathebestuck  (hiUsl  and  Mecaddacut,  (settlement)  appear  to  represents 
the  same  Ir.dian  word,  Vv-hiah  stili  retained,  probably,  in  tte  name 
of  Medambattec,  the  appellation  of  an  elevation  ot  land  between  Camden 
and  Kocklaad. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN. 


19 


2>^xa.3::s3L'fc>o3.-  jCXXn 

The  Muscoagua  Graut— Its  lijaits— It  fails  to  Fre-Mdent  Levereti— The 
Ten  Froprierors— Tlie  Thirty  Fro;  rK-r.v  ,— a  di-".?iilt>  — Ceu.  TValdo's 
mi-^-ii^r?— iiis  sucoi.'S.-,  ami  T^WArd-~li:i]'ic.:zaent5  oiil-red  to  eniip:rants — 
Kxti\Kt  iron;  or;  :-  cf  rL-  -  ri-oii'.r.r.- — Another  version  of  Waltio-s 

death— Dlisolutiun  of  I'.i:  i:;;  — The  TTvenfy  A^jocintes-  portion — 
T;i.i   Tsu    Fr-:r;  -         y .  v:i'  •\—i>  -  :]-C^—Tluj    Wuido     P:i!!.M:.t— T-.e 

abiei^rets  i        ■  coi. t-'l  —  ll::  ::ry       ri^i.r— A  .^lui.ce  at  tne 

►ecret  hi.Jtury  of  Waldo  I';\;ei:t— liuox's  Ucatl: — Notk, 

TEIE  grant,  or  patent,  in  'which  Camden  is  included,  demands 
in  this  connection  somewhat  of  a  notice.  It  was  firs? 
known  under  the  name  of  the  Miiscongus  Patent,  and 
w\3  granted  by  the  Council  of  Plymouth  to  John  Beauchamp 
of  London,  and  Thos.  Leverett  *  of  Boston,  March  13,  1629. 
Th^f  r':r.its  of  the  Pafent  extruded  from  the  river  iMuseongus  to 
P.j:, .;'.>«•■,-  rivrr  r.n  rhe  r  o.^rd,  and  run  ba.  k  fir  s/noui^h  to 
e:r.;.r^ce  a.-".  (.'x.Lont  of  i 'nilorv  e*;a:il  to  3u  mih^s  S([;;are.  The 
iocat- :r.  of  tl-e  zwrd  vronlCi  never  have  been  kno^vn  b:<d  rot  the 
nan.-:  of  Penobs.'ott  '■'  and  Muscongus  "  occur  rid  In  the 
pait-iii.  j  Oil  the  death  of  Beauchamp,  Leverttt  as  survivor 
suireeded  to  the  estate.  In  1710  John  Leverett,  who  was  then 
president  of  Haryard  College,  representing  himself  as  sola  heir 
of  h'.s  grauiha'her  according  to  the  English  laws  of  T)rii:iii)gcni- 
lure,  came  inio  ros<e.-sion  of  the  whole  Patent.  He  afterwards 
findmg  1'  <]::''.  v:h  to  establish  his  title  as  sole  proprietor,  divided 
the  estate  inco  lun  siiares,  gra!iting  one  sliare  to  a  s./n  of  Gov. 
Brauibrd,  to  excin^rulsh  some  IriLcrfcring  claim,  and  one  share  to 
ispencer  Phips.  an  adopted  son  of  Sir  VVm.  Phips,  (w\xo  brought 

•  T'le  name  L;  ■  icc: .'in!  :>  i-  yy^-i  pt-ru'ited  by  a  point  of  land  in  Kookport 
kr:"»-sa  31  Ee:^■i'•i  :.:r\,>  ''-.■.:.!  ;  L<         :  n?.-^  formorlv  apniicd  t>'  Js.cneson"3 

T  A;;  :io-rr;jn  oi  tl,.;  Jil'^-ccivra:.  '<v  Liv.coln  prrant  will  be  tound  in 
H:i>;>.r.;  j  <       r-rate  pap^.-?,  ed.  p.         and  ia  Wbitea  fliit.  Btrlfiwt 

'•i^I  t-'.  liie  rciiire  deed. 


20  eiCETCFIES  OF  THK 

into  the  company  the  Indian  deed  which  his  father  had  bought 
of  Madocawando  in  1G94,  and  thus  secured  the  title  the  Tarra- 
tines  claimad  in  the  territory,)  and  two  shares  to  Elisha 
Cook,  and  one  each  to  Xatb'I  Hubbard,  Hannah  Davis,  ilebeeca 
Lloyd,  and  Sarah  Byefu:'  ].  clescendants  of  Thomas  Leverett, 
and  the  two  other  shares  be  retained  himself.  These  were 
known  as  the  "  Ten  Troprietors."  The  same  year,  Jahlcel 
Br*^ntoa  and  nineteen  ocher-^,  became  associated  with  them, 
when  they  asoumed  the  appellation  ot  The  Thirty  Pro- 
prietors." 

After  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  one  David  Dunbar,  his  then 
Majesty's  Surveyor  G'-neral  of  the  Woods,  claimed  a  quit  rent 
for  the  king.  Fearing  it  m''iht  ultimate  in  the  extijiguishment 
of  their  claims,  the  Thirty  Proprietors  engaged  the  ser\-ice3 
of.  Brig.  Sam'l  Waldo  to  go  to  England  and  obtain  a  reunquish- 
ment  of  lae  arbitrary  claim  presented.  Alter  untiring  applica- 
tion at  court,  he  succeeded  in  getting  Dunbar  removed  and  in 
accomplishing  his  mission.  On  his  return  the  Thirty  Proprietors 
joined  in  surrendering  to  him  tor  his  services  one  half  of  the 
Patent.  In  1732  Waldo  caused  his  portion  to  be  setoff  in 
.severalty,  and  made  preparations  for  extensive  settlement.  By 
sending  agents  to  Germany  and  circulating  documents  holding 
out  flattering  inducements  to  emigrants,  he  soon  formed  quite  a 
German  colony — at  Broad  Bay,  In  1753  he  sent  his  son  to 
Germany,  who  used  every  endeavor  for  the  furtherance  of  his 
father's  schemes.  Prom  a  translation  of  one  of  these  proclama- 
tions, in  our  possession,  which  was  published  in  the  German 
Imperial  Post  newspaper.  No.  17,  March  23,  1753,  we  will  make 
an  extract,  as  we  doubt  whtther  its  duplicate  is  to  be  found  in 
America.  In  speaking  of  our  .clim.ate,  &c.,  it  says  :  The 
climate  a  acknowled^'na  to  bo  healthy,  and  the  soil  is  exceed- 
ingly fruitful,  since  the  wood  which  grows  there  is  mostly  oak, 
l>eech,  a-sh,  maple  and  the  like,  and  it  yields  all  manner  of 
fruit  as  in  Germany,  but  Iieujp  and  llax  in  greater  perfection. 
A'so  there  i.;  much  ::n;n'j  in  vHyy  \<,  and  n^any  tish  in  the 
sfreais:--,  and  every  one  is  permirt^jtl  to  hunt  arvt  n.-lj."' 

As  there  are  several  vtrsicn-;  of  the  Mory  relating  to  Gen. 
Waldo's  death,  which  occurred  May  23,  1750,  it  may  not  be 


HISTORY  OF  CAMBHIf,  21 

&ml33  if  we  relate  one  •wbich  varies  somewhat  from  the  account 
a3  currently  received.  We  learned  the  tradition  from  an 
intelligent  octogenarian  six  year?  since,  who  obtained  the 
account  from  the  lip?  of  Stimson  himself.  Richard  Stimson, 
aftenivards  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Belfast,  assisted  in  rowing 
the  boat  in  which  Waido  made  his  survey  up  the  river.  ArriviDg 
in  the  vicinity  of  Eddington  Bend,  Waldo  ordered  the  boatmen 
to  cease  rowing,  when  he  said,  "  Here  is  the  bound  of  my 
Patent,"  and  taking  up  a  silver  colored  basin,  or  plate,  and 
sinking  it,  he  continued :  "  I  will  sink  this  here  as  the  mark.'' 
As  he  iiaiahed  the  declaration  he  fell  dead  in  the  boat,  supposed 
iVo'n  an  npoplexy.  Anion:;  the  u^fierent  authorities  who  speak 
oi  iV.-.i  (Icuerai's  death,  ihey  all  ..'oncur  in  -:aying  that  his  la-t 
words  contained  the  ideas  attributed  to  him  relative  to  ascer- 
taining the  limits  of  his  Patent. 

A  short  time  previous  to  Waldo's  death,  it  wa-^  agreed  to 
dissolve  the  partnership  existing  between  the  different  parlies 
owning  the  then  Muscongus  grant,  but  the  necessary  surveys 
were  not  made  until  after  Waldo's  demise.  The  Ten 
Proprietors,"  and  Twenty  Associates,"  by  which  names  these 
two  companies  became  designated,  had  agreed  to  accept  as 
their  proportion  100,"00  acres  each.  The  surveys  were 
delayed  from  year  to  year,  until  tbe  year  1706,  when  one  of  the 
A-^sociates,  viz.,  John  Jeffries,  and  the  heirs  of  others,  by 
petition  obtained  a  warrant  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors 
to  be  held  on  the  6th  of  Sept.,  1 7G6.  When  they  met,  16  of  the 
original  20  Associates  were  represented.  At  said  meeting  a 
committee  was  chosen  to  confer  with  the  heirs  of  Gen.  Waldo 
respecting  the  lOiJ.uuO  acres  belonging  to  the  proprietors,  and 
report.  They  reported  that  the  action  of  said  heirs  was  agree- 
ably to  previous  stipulations,  and  the  following  gentlemen,  wuo 
were  of  that  committee,  were  fuily  authorized  and  empowered 
to  execute  deeds  of  indenture  with  the  heirs  of  Waldo,  viz^^ 
Hon.  Benj.  Lynde.  Jas.- Bowdoiu,  Robt.  Treat  Payne,  E£qrs., 
Henry  Liddle  and  Natal  Appleton.  The  tract  selected  by  the 
'i'J  Associates  w.-vs  surveyed  and  set  oil"  by  them  the  Tth  of 
April,  ITG-j,  at  which  time  the  deed  was  dated.  Their  selection 
embraced  Camdeu,  Hope,  Appleton,  Montviiie,  and  a  part  of 


22  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Liberty.  The  tract  "was  to  extend  from  the  sea  shore  back  SO 
miles,  and  to  be  5  1-4  miies  -wnde,  *  and  to  embtace  sundry 
islands  on  the  coast,  eoatainmg  about  2' 00  acres.  On  making 
the  survey,  it  was  fouad  that  afcer  rannin^'  La.ok  about  20  miiea 
(to  the  N.  V,'.  corner  cf  A- ->t_t:'n.)  it  came  in  ccntact  yf'ith. 
the  Piymou'h  Patent :  so  in  order  to  make  out  the  ci^iim,  ISIont- 
ville  and  a  small  parr  of  Liberty  was  added,  which  thus 
completed  the  C:r:ie^.        :  ^ 

It -was  not  until  the  year  1  7  73  that  the  10  Proprlc-tors  had 
their  portion  set  oiY  by  ^Val  io's  heirs,  when  instead  ol;  the 
100,100  acres  they  aceep-ed  r:-\,ooo  in  ^ne  etilirc;  tract,  'ch'vch 
Is  described  in  the  (i  vd      ^■:^^;ra■v;e  b  -;-v.-:,  The  Ten 

Proprietors  sur  .  ■.  i':  1  Ui'-:-.-^'  b::.  i:  &.i  ILiU- 

^  gor.  they  select,  i  Frarii:";rt.  \,.:rt  of  Zvlocroe,  a  sn-iall  portion 
of  Swanville,  the  v.-h-:.le  il.  •■:.jv.Ien,  and  much  cf  Bangor. 
When  the  boundaries  of  tne  Patent  were  after vv^rds  established 
it  was  found  that  the  Tne  extenled  fvon  the  E.  corner  of 
Frankfort  to  the  N.  Vi.  corner  of  Tuorndike,  and  thence  down 
to  the  so'irce  cf  the  Tdu-eci^/ui  river.  By  thi^  nieasurcnent  the 
Ten  Frop«rietcr3  lost  ail  tuey  claimed  north  of  Frankfort,  tuus 
reducing:  t:;;;;r  n-.  cf  ;.m-o-.  to  aboi:!  40, T:.;     ;ke  up 

the  <:  :f-  !'-;.Ly-  - :  !. ;  i  :   v. : in  sc;ne  ci  the  vhJms 

cf  lie  Tv-.  Pre;  .        ■.  ■■^  ;'.,;ir      .'v.  ;^;     c  ;.ve  a  bond 

that  ihe  r<.a.-u:i-.:'.r  TiOaid  be  s-:ureJ,  iuir  ihe  boiid  -.vis  ic^t  and 
the  indemnity  yra.s  never  obtained.  To  make  up  lor  the  defi- 
cience^  occasioned  by  the  survey  of  the  £a;d  boundary,  two 
resvlves  were  passed  on  the  0th  and  10th  of  Fel'.,  1798,  but,  as 
before  stated,  the  Ten  I'ropi-i'j*:  ^xs  never  obraiaed  any  satisfac- 
tion for  their  loss.  Ti:  ?  r;  -idae  of  tl;e  iMa.scon::fU3  Grant, 
containing  about  4!'! -  ^  a,  r:,-.  feli  the  Waido  heirs,  which 
was  tinafiy  set  otf  ir.  c.  il-ed  ot  severance  in  about  the  year 
177?.,  when  it  took  the  narnc  ot  Waido  Patent. 

While  upon  thi..  5u:)joct,  we  will  follow  it  out  a  Httle  further^ 
even  at  the  ri-^k  of  bt.;;.'::  -omewhat  diirrcssivo,  After  the  death 
of  t:i;n:;-d  sV-Ido,  l^-  e^:  v:-  v.'.,  rih.-ri^'-l  by  his  ^on:'.  ^^-nnuei, 
Francis,  and  the  husbands  of  hi?  t-^vo  daucrhreri.  isaac  U'inslow 

•  According?  to  Coitou  a  inap  Ih-i  vfAili  is  eijt  miit?. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEX.  .2S  . 

and  Thos.  Fluker.  During  the  Kevolutton,  all  the  owners  of  the 
Patent  were  tories  except  Gen.  Knox's  wife  and  one  other  we 
think  by  the  name  of  Waldo,  and  as  they  retired  to  the  enemy 
they  were  called  "  absentees,"  and  their  estates  confiscated  and 
administered  upon  by  the  Jadges  of  Probate  as  though  the  late 
possessors  were  in  fact  dead.  After  the  Revolutionary  war  was 
over.  Gen.  Knox  went  to  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts 
to  have  his  titles  confirmed,  and  obtain,  if  he  could,  a  share  of 
the  sequestrated  portion  of  his  wife's  relatives*  claims.  lie 
arnved  on  the  day  of  the  adjournment  of  the  Court,  and  as  many 
representatives  had  not  left  Boston,  he  coiiected  quite  a  number 
of  them  together,  and  gave  them  a  sumptuous  supper:  arter 
which  ihey  were  in  a  pretty  good  mood  to  accede  to  his  proT»o- 
sals.  We  have  been  credibly  informed  that  a  committee  was 
formed  by  these  members,  when  a  bill  was  soon  framed,  which 
ultimated  in  his  favor.  The  late  Dr.  B.  J.  Porter,  who  was  a 
member  of  the  General  Court  at  the  time,  used  jocosely  to  say, 
that  the  General's  titles  were  secured  and  his  success  achieved 
by  that  all  potent  :;ipper.  Thus  the  General,  by  his  adroit 
nvmv.-.vring  principilly,  came  in  possession  of  the  confiscated 
t^\U3  of  the  absentees,  to  which  in  fact  he  had  no  right  above 
that  of  any  other  citizen.  Ptecorded  history,  however,  dc-'iares 
thu  they  were  relinquished  to  him  in  virtue  of  his  services 
di.rir.g  the  Revolution. 

Interwoven  with  the  ante-plantation  history  of  a  number  cf 
th'-  towHs  of  Waldo  County  are  many  incidents  which  had  their 
origin  in  the  gaming  pr?.2tices  that  had  thc-n  greatly  obtained 
a:r.  certain  of  th<.'  higher  circles  of  those  days.  Madam 
Knov  WIS  not  an  exe^^prion  among  this  c'  ly-,  "While  spending 
the  winter  months  in  Bo-ton,  or  at  their  cindcau  at  Montpelier 
(:u  Thomaston)  s'.3  v-ouhl  engage  in  g.nu\^<  of  chance,  in  which 
she  would  lose  or  ivin  ia  an  evening  thousands  of  dollars.  To 
cince!  the  stakes  ^von  by  her  partners  in  the  game,  certain 
townships  and  fractions  of  plantations  contained  in  the  Wahlo 
I  i-  rit  w-irc:  rxi:!'!  ■  i.:  p  u-  t\,..;  Ibrt^-it.  5  i  r-a  money  was 
adv-aced  by  such  rccn  as  Parkinan.  Applo.oa.  Prescott  and 
liiorndike  for  the  f),'.-  viamc-cre^^s  to  cancel  the  debts  thus 
'Contracted,  when  security  would  be  given  by  a  mortgage  or 


•24  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

deed  of  certain  land?,  which  the  generous  hearted  and  over- 
indulgent  General  vfculd  recognize  as  valid. 

TTe  state  these  well  authenticated  trauitional  facta  as  matters 
pertaining  to  the  hisl"ory  of  the  ^luiCQwz'M  Grant,  and  as 
tending  to  give  the  reader  somewhat  of  an  insight  into  the  secret 
transactions  couuccted  with  the  same.  Gen.  Knox  dying 
insolvent,  in  — the  es'^ite  passed  into  other  hamls,  but  as 

it  would  be  tedious  to  the  reader  to  follow  cut  its  subsequent 
history,  we  will  here  leave  it  an{i  pass  on  to  our  main  subject.  * 

*Xlie  docaineati  re::.:.  :  i  i  hj^-ury  oi"  the  Ten  Proprietors,  the 
Tweafy  A;-coia;es  v  .-  '.v-:,;-,  Tatcn!-.  is  tlio  'irchives  of  the  3iags. 
State  il'.  use.  n.re  7oIirmInG;;?  encu-u  to  rill  a  larL'e  voirrne,  u-*  we  k.iio".7 
from  a  personal  examinatioa  or  tliem.  Our  kno\vie<i;ie  oa  Ihisi  subject  has 
been  incrc'iiod  by  an  examination  of  seme  of  xLe  i  ri\  rito  letters  of  i\iiox 
aiiti  the  p  roprietors  axid  their  ai^eats,  as  'vt-ll  Ihe  r.^cJ-*  0/ some  of 
these  comfariie.'?  r,  • :a  *  iih  State  iu  priviite  iiandi-.  A  careturiy  written 
artiole  unon  tiie  21  ;  Patent  -vTill  be  found  in  the  Ma-.-?.  His.  Coll., 

vol.  il..  od  ?L-rit•^.  exr^'Duing  trom  p.  22^^  to  2-30,  to  which  we  are  also 
indebted  for  .=C3ie  of  the  above  facLo. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN. 


The  survey  of  Cainden— The  oric^inal  boundary— Part  ol  Canaan  an- 
nexed—The  presiiHt:  fc  i-n  lary— :Vuui:vr  oi  Acr^^^  con;ai:itd— Jas. Kichards 
geniv}3  at  iIe^u,:u:ccok:— jru  I^:.:i.d  iijruod— J u:;;aii.-— Eobr.  Thoriidike 
sotties  at  Goo^c  lUv-  r—ll: Iilitiot  erects  inill-;  mi  tl.e  ;Ir-r  fr,;nie  house — 
L'r.'r.F.  Ogier— <.>.:':-r  ^p:::er--^! '!am  Cove  ^ctfltd — L  v;Japher  Uiohards' 
At;-  ■  N\  oiv  c>— Miller  and  the  deitiriue  T.^miiy— I?vt::^erel 

V  .:.       dan  id;iii.;— Oi-l^iu  of  ih'i  iiaxn-i  o:  Oouij  Klver— 


'T'TyE  Lare  r.ov.,-  approached  the  period  v^hk-h.  ecminences 
\  \       what  Y.-e  uiight  teim  the  actual  ov  proper  history 
of  Cuii'leii. 

In  1 7')-S  '•Til-  Twenty  Associates,"  ov  "  the  Liiioolnsliire 
C'.'inpany,"  n?  ihey  wore  somerian-s  ca!I;-.l.  had  the  plantation, 
sul.'s.-.pently  kmnva  a-  C'aru.i-  a,  snrvc-y"!  ).>y  Divid  Faies.  Esq., 
ut*  'J h' .mast on.  Ike  boundavifs  then  deierminod  upon  have 
siu_^_^  i-jcn  somewhat  chang-cd.  According  to  his  survey,  vrliich 
i.^  now  '/-■■ibr-e  t;ie  to'-vn-.-uip  was  «ix  miles  in  length,  by  live 
iniies  and  sixty-'cvo  rods  m  width.  'J'Ue  north-casrerly  boundary 
coinineneed  at  a  ro'-k  on  the  iea  fliore,  .(-iniatttd  about  two 
T(y.U  south  of  the  .-rt-aniboat  whnf.)  inaxv.<:d  XX.,  and  thence 
n:ii  north       3-4  <iegrocs  SW-^t :  or.  v\  .••hi-v  w^j-rds,  th«.>  line 

o:X  b;.^:-!'-^.  i^.  }{.  --.uivr -uid  Go.;.  rCo.  ■•.  -  iu.v  ;o  vii;  ^outh- 
w.'.:  la".  I3v..y.  up  by  Th:lo^.r  :tndacro-s  to  J^eth 

Ilcdr..  :.:.d  rh.  -  -i  rh  ;  e-t^Tiy  (-or.;:;;'  .  r'  ib-j.e.  Acrording 
to  tLI-;  ii:ca.;urc:ii^.:»r,  i.di.i:d.ju  n.uuatai]-;.  v,we  then  embraced  in 
C\;,:>,i.in.  or  Lin.  ^:::■d:^■.  is  b  rifiw  -.^i;.  j'iio  strip  of  terri- 
t'U-r  T:        (■[  d.  •         ■    :  ••"."l  >'i-'d.  d:,    r   ■  - /      d  to  Camden  by 

C  0.  :      .    .  .         :  :,.         ,         i.,:,-y,^'V  tO  tl.^ 

p''  ^"i.o  \v;-:,  d  T:)  U:  ^tjC  (jd"  bccaUSe 

Oi      :  y  :  ■  die  harbor  village. 

Xhi;  otii».'r  bouia'j..i.dco  w^re  iie«udy  the  SvUiiu  as  are  described 


26  SKETCHES  or  THE 

in  the  act  of  incorporation.  Tiio  south-east  corner  is  indicated 
by  a  rcK-k  marked  A.X.  on  the  north  side  of  Owi's  Head  hay. 
From  thence,  according  to  the  act  of  incorporation,  (Town 
Records,  p.  1.)  the  line  runs  '-norfn  west  by  north  seven  miles 
and  sixty-four  poh-.-^,"'  which  bring--  it  to  the  southern  corner 
of  Hope.  Thence  it  runs  north-ea.st  tive  miles  and  ninetv'-four 
poles,"  which  brings  it  to  the  eastern  corner  of  Hope,  and  then 
takes  in  the  ceded  temtory  l)y  running  cast  three  miles  and  a 
half  and  .twenty  poles  to  a  spruce  tree thence  it  runs  "  south 
east  by  south  one  mile  to  Little  Ducktrap,"  and  "  thence  by  the 
sea  shore  in  a  westerly  xlirection  to  the  bounds  iiv^t  mentioned." — 
at  Owl's  Head  bay.  According  to  these  iunits,  Camden  now 
contains  2 3.-5 00  acres. 

In  1767  James  Richards  moved  his  family  from  a  place  on  the 
Piscatac[ua  river,  H.,  to  Bristol,  Me.,  where  he  resided 
imtil  176S,  during  which  year  he  came  down  to  the  then 
•wilderness  of  the  township  of  Camden,  at  the  Harbor,  then 
known  by  the  Indians  under  the  name  of  Negunticook,  or 
Megunticook,  as  it  is  now  spelled,  where  he  erected  a  rude 
log  hut.  TLe  fjliowing  spring,  IMay,  1761',  Mr.  Richards 
embarked  in  a  vfs-^t.  I  with  his  'family,  bound  for  his  destined 
home.  As  they  entered  the  harbor,  (on  the  8th  of  May)  the 
African  ccxjk  pomted  to  the  island  at  the  entrance,  and  ex- 
clauncd,  Dare, — d:it<  my  irland  I"  and  it  was  thenceibrtii  known 
as  Negro  Lland."  Mr.  Richanls'  cabia  vras  situated  on  the 
land  just  b:tck  of  the  -  Patch  house." 

At  that  time  there  were  a  few  Indian's  wi'iwarns  on  what  is 
now  called  Eaton's  Point,  and  also  on  Bt  aU'  b.unp  Point.  The 
Indians  were  always  friendly,  but  Mrs.  R.  rt-  :-d  to  sometimes 
feel  somewhat  alarrae*!  ivs  they  came  to  th;,'  i  ;ibiu  in  the  ab-ence 
of  her  husband  to  grind  their  tomahawks  urion  the  grmd-stone 
at  tlie  door. 

The  same  year  ]Mr.  Richards'  two  brothers,  Jo-eph  and  Dtxia- 
pher,  joined  hun.  In  the  following  July  Rob.cn  Thorndike,  who 
was  born  ia  Bcv.  rly,  Int  then  lived  in  P-:-f;;int!,  oam(r  and 
settled  at  Goo*e  lav  r — n -)W  Kockpoit.  He  i^'-ftwiht  with  him 
his  seven  children.  2vf.r.  Thorndike  posse;se<i  a  t..>leral)le  knowl- 
edge of  the  place  before,  as  he  had  been  here  two  or  three  years 


CABIN  OF  ONE  Of  THE  FIRST  SETTLFUS  OF  CAMDEN. 


HISTORY  or  CAMDEK.  29 

previous  with  his  vessel  to  cut  timber.  The  next  settler  who 
followed  Mr.  Richards  at  the  Harbor  V7^s  INIaj.  Wm.  Mlnot,  of 
Bostoa,  who  settled  at  the  foot  of  3Iegiin,ticook  stream,  upon 
which  he  erected  the  first  grist  and  saw  mill.  His  house, 
sicuarcd  just  back  of  Ephraim  Barrett's,  was  the  lii^t  frame 
house  erected  in  Camden.  Lewis  Ogicr,  of  French  descent, 
came  next, — from  Quebec.  ]Mr.  Thorndilve  at  B.ockport,  was 
next  joined  bv  his  brother  Paul,  and  James  Simonton,  and 
at'terwcLrds  by  John  Harkness,  Peter  Ott.  Jno.  Ballard  and 
others.  Also  near  the  same  time,  "Wm.  Gregory,  Mark  Buck- 
land,  ~SVm.  Porteriieid  and  Wm.  Upham  settled  at  Ciam  Cove. 

From  this  time,  the  settlement  gradually  began  to  increase 
until  the  commencement  of  the  Fvc volution,  vvhen  emigration 
ceased. 

Before  Minot  erected  his  grist  mill,  the  settlers  had  to  carry 
their  corn  upon  their  backs  to  Warren  through  the  woods,  guided 
in  their  path  by  spotted  trees.  At  this  time  Dodapher  Richards 
started  for  Warren,  to  carr\'  some  com  to  grind,  only  accompa- 
nied by  his  httle  dog.  As  night  approached,  he  arrived  at  a 
house,  or  cabin,  and  requested  to  have  the  privUege  of  lo<.lging 
there  until  morning.  The  mistress  of  the  house  being  ah>ne, — 
her  husband  being  absent, — felt  distrustful  of  the  stranger,  and 
refused  him  his  request ;  so,  pursuing  his  parli.  he  plodded  on 
until  9  o'clock,  when  he  heard  in  the  ui^lance  the  howling 
of  wolves.  Seeking  out  a  large  tree,  he  selected  a  club,  and 
placing  his  back  against  the  tree,  awaited  their  approach.  They 
soon  were  on  the  scent  of  his  track,  and  as  they  came  nearer 
their  yeUs  began  to  increase  louder  and  louder,  until  a  pack 
of  about  thirty  approached  the  spot  where  h*^  stood.  ^Vs  they 
jumped  towards  him,  he  would  strike  at  them  with  his  club,  when 
they  would  rctrvat,  at  wliich  his  dog  would  spring  out  at  them 
and  bark,  when  they  would  rush  at  him  in  return.  The  hideous 
howh  of  others  approaf-hing,  responding  to  those  near  him,  could 
Ik'  heard  as  they  <:arne  bounding  through  the  woods,  while  their 
t  ry  ho  ]v'\iv>\  ivn  l  rcturut-d  bv  oil       packs  in  the 

•lisran  x*.  who  w<.'r»'  tMiowmg  the  soui\d  of  those  in  advance.  By 
nu'lai'jfht  as  many  a.s  ouc  bundrcd  of  these  furious  but  cowardly 
DC  a- IS  were  surrounduig  the  olyects  of  their  prey,  raid  snapping 


30  SEETCHE3  OP  THE 

at  them  vrith  thoir  teeth:  but  fcarfal  to  [jet  within  reach  of  the 
blow?  of  r!i2  s^-ilwan  pic'in-M-.  f^it-y  kept  within  a  proper 
distance.  Mr.  11.  thinkiriii  it  n\'vj]it  pac-ity  th'^m,  threw  his  dog 
towar.li  t''r;ai.  "".it  thev  '-".'ouli.l  ^'irink  from  it,  when  the  little 
fellovv  !  r-.-i  b.vk  to  'i;s  nv;t>i>''r.  and  evoivii  hi-  ll-^-t.  lie 
did  2i.">t  ..■  ■  c.'4K-:r: .  but  by  brain li.-hin^  hi~  weapon- 
he  h'.-'  ■  t--  <.u  h.iv  u.i'.il  the  break  of  day,  when  one  after 
an^  'k  -   :       -  -'.Ink  awnv.  uutil  ho  was  letl 

aly.v.'  '.:  r-  •'.■yx-  h>  J«,-.cr„--y  !••  ;  •  -.uill.  -ViV._r  he-  obtained  his 
gi-irC.  he  pni>ucd  hi-^  way  i.->ui-.-  ii.-ar.o'.r.tvd.  T'u'Lju'-te'.'iiy  the 
Indian  bar.;;--,  k-  ni.a-.]<.-  tV-mi  Ji;t  d.'uriy  act « aired  ^ri>r,  were 

A::":--         --.K-  -  k  '■/■\:\'-\  a  liv(k>iio-:>-I  by  farm- 

ing. ksLi.-j;  an.-.l  hanring.  Tiie  _rri^t  niiii  Vva.s  rt->-^ried  to  from 
Union  and  Bi-k;i;r.  -oon  afu-r  it  wa.s  erci-ted.  from  which 
settlem-'it--!  v_-avly  ^■■■rl<_T->  u  ;ed  to  come  and  at  one  kkid  carry  the 
grir-t  of  t:-.'k.r  rL-'pLr-tive  Towns.  At  one  time  Robert  iMiller  of 
Bchk^r.  '-v.-  rcte.niln'jT  in  a  boat  from  Camden  with  a  bag  of 
meal,  when  he  wuut  a.-la  -;  e  ar  Xort!iport  to  get  a  (hnner  prepared 
at  a  c:^' in  there.  w'::--]i  ^-^  ^  ■  tlio  only  one  probabl}-  then  in 
X  ■-!-:ir  <  >a  <\'-aterkr_-     ;  ruom.  ho  tiiere  found  a  famiiy  sick 

ani  'k  ^k:  .te.  ^'ko  h't-i  -l'  i'or  a  number  of  daj's  on  nothing 

bur  r\i\:_  .  :,nd  :■[[;>■  K,  be  in  a  stare  of  fttarvation.  Af^er 
p''"  '  .-  a  -  "  a  •  .-•■••>•■>  >■  i)rt-^»ared,  he  share']  with  rhem 
kk      .•  ..  I- 1  --'vai  ii'-.'.ao.  u-joi-.-ing  at  the  pdvilo^-o  of  thus 

feediiig  hnvs-'y  kai-  incident  wa.^  eommeniorated  by  some 
poet-i:0_.r  b}-  ihe  kihowuig  doggenu  verse  : 

'      ■   '-Camden  fcr  beauty, 
Belfast  u.r  rri.I.i: 
If      '-:.-.'.n'r  '..■•-;-u  for  clams, 
Nortlip'.rs  -.sculd  Lave  died." 

Subsequently  thi.-^  V'~*;'<e  was  paro*l'':'d  so  as  to  suit  inei(Umts  in 
the  h;-a-.-y  <'<[  ok!'-  '  pL-  aaaaiu-  wi.-i-'-h  were  ^^'arren,  Iknion, 
Tii'^  '  i  ''I  Line. >;>-,%![!•.■,  the  fncer  of  whi'di,  was  givan  as  a 
to a  orakoa.  delis-ered  by  Ilea.  Akre'I  Johnson  in 

■  '  •  •-  In'lian  Island"  was  said  to  have  been  iriven  to 
the  i-.e  a:       mouth  of  Go^ase  nver,  trom  thia  circum^tauce  : — 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEK.      '  31 

Darhii!;  the  last  French  and  Indian  war,  one  Capt  Blaisdell  of 
Newbar^'port,  while  in  pursuit  of  Indians,  espied'  a  number 
of  th'MU  on  tills  Lland,  to  which  he  gave  pursuit,  when  they  tied 
to  the  westward.  Other  tratlitionary  accounts  say  it  was  on 
account  of  ii^  beins:  used  by  the  IncUans  as  a  campin<jr  place. 

Goose  Elver  derived  its  appellation  from  this  circumstance  : — 
When  the  early  settlers  came  here,  one  of  them  found  the  nesi: 
of  a  wild  goose,  on  a  rock  in  the  lakelet  now  known  as  Hosmer's 
Pond,  from  which  incident  they  gave  it  tlie  n(^nle  of  Goos(5 
Pond — wiiich  is  now  obsolete,  however, — and  as  said  por.  I  is 
th«  source  of  the  river,  the  name  was  also  applied  to  that,  and 
hence  the  name  of  Goose  River.  It  is  said  hy  others  that  the 
apptMlarion  was  bestoAved  upon  it  from  the  fact,  that  srcat 
numbers  of  geese  used  to  frequent  it,  and  there  remain  during 
the  time  of  iheir  incubation. 

Robert  Thorndike  v/as  the  first  white,  male  child  born  in 
town.  He  wa5  bom  at  Goose  River  (Rockport)  Sept.  17, 1773  ; 
his  sister  Betsy,  (who  married  a  ^Mr.  Hardy)  born  subseciuentlv, 
was  the  first  female  child  entitled  to  that  distinction. 

-  3# 


32 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


Commijncement  of  the  Rerolution— A  sbaviaij  mill visits  Clam  Core 
— Porarov  pilots  the  marauJers  to  Jarae?on'5  hou?e— House  rac'acked — 
Cs'.r.Ie  killed— An  Anieiican  pn  a*'  ei*  in  siirbt— J amcpon  tows  reveni^e— 
The  ?eqi;e! — i'omroy"s  Ilc2.?in;? — iiarauders  visit  ilegunticooK— The  ruse 
of  ilctcaif  s.n-1  Wells— Th?  reception  ^ji  eu  the  a.-saiiants— Mirot's  house 
burned— Mr?.  foict— Otivr  houses  burped— E.\pluit  of  Dow- 

Departure  of  the  iuvflder? — Loivr,  the  torr  pilot— Thrown  iipou  a  fire — 
Metcalf  ?ertl?s  the  old  score  ■tvitli  him— C'ommeEded  by  Col.  Foote— An 
An:erioan  c  ; ;  ?ct  r  pur?ued  hy  &:t  F.E.L;!:  -h  Lr;  Kuus  asiiore  at  Ogiiser'i 
tore— The  enemy  foiled  by  the  ? jttier!«— Auotuer  altempc  upoa  Mej^unti- 
cook — Scotch  Hijhianders  visit  Clam  Cove  in  «carch  of  deserters — Gregory 
forced  to  accompany  them— Accomplish  their  errand. 


WHEN  the  Revohition  commenced,  our  settlers  with  i-wo 
cr  three  exceptions  were  found  to  be  among  its  most 
ardent  snpportors.  We  Itave  not  within  our  reach  the 
record  of  the  doinfjs  of  the  plantation  of  Camden  at  that  time, 
but  prosuaie  that  in  conunon  with  otiier  settlements,  the  con- 
stitution ]Ma->achu-etts  had  prepared  for  the  government  of  her 
subjects  that  time,  was  adopted  by  our  citizens.  If  so, 
committees  of  safety  were  accordinizly  selected,  and  a  censor 
appointed  to  report  the  ml^conduct  of  any  person  by  word  or 
action  against  the  United  States.  i 

Soon  after  die  Kevolniior.nry  struggle  commenced,  this 
\icinity  was  wcasionally  fi-equented  by  saving  mills,"  the 
ba'-cre?  of  British  maraudors  wei-e  called,  in  which  they  used  to 
come  to  plunder  the  settlers  of  their  cattle,  slieep  and  poultry, 
and  frequently  conamit  per^^onal  outrages.  Blustrative  of  these 
pr>'datorv-  incursions,  we  will  hen^  reh\te  the  folio  win  tr,  which 
occurred  betbre  our  American  force  was  stationed  at  the  place 
desiznated:  One  of  fhe-p  '-sliavin^  mill-',*'  under  the  guidance 
of  a  Tors-  named  Fomro}-,  who  arted  a?  pilot,  landed  at  Clara 
Cove  to  commit  depradations.  Pomroy  r-  sided  at  Friendship, 
and,  when  a  boy.  attended,  sohool  with  Jame-ion,  and  afterwards 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEX.  S3 

they  went  to  sea  together.  Being  thus  well  acquainted  with 
Jamesoa.  Pomroy  knew  him  to  be  a  strong  whig,  and  thu3  caused 
him  to  be  known  as  a  marked  man.  While  Janit-son  v*-as  in  the 
field  mowing,  at  about  11  r>"rl.x'k  iu  the  forenoon,  on  the  phice 
now  known  as  J.une-oa"?  Point,  (vv'iiere  his  log  hut  v.-as  situated.) 
the  "  shaving  mill," — or  barge,  as  we  shall  call  it, — approached 
the  shore.  ZS'inereen  men  lande<i,  and  at  once  seized  Jameson 
and  carried  him  on  board  the  barge,  where  he  was  confined  to 
prevent  Iiim  from  rallying  others  lo  the  rescue.  Some  of  tho 
clan  proceeded  to  the  house,  and  ransaeked  it  oi'  two  guns  and 
a  couple  of  firkins  of  butttT :  v.-!iiii;  others  shoi  his  yoke  of 
ox.?n.  and  but'/liered  liis  two  hog;.  Dragging  viie  cattle  down 
to  tlie  allure  they  there  quartered  them,  and  withoui;  stripping 
the  hide  off,  carried  them,  together  vdih.  the  pigs,  on  board  the 
barge.  After  satisfying  their  intentions,  they  released  Jame- 
son, and  informed  him  that  he  VrHH  at  hberty  to  go  a.^iiore.  Bui 
•eeing  an  American  privateer  (wljieh  was  on  the  lookout  for  the 
protection  of  our  interesrs)  sail  u^)  by  Owl's  Head,  he  declined 
leaving  the  barge.  The  privateer  approached  within  two  miles 
uf  f!;;h!  Cove,  when  Jameson,  r.galnst  the  injuuction  of  tho 
ikipper.  h.>uiii\-  lialled  her,  but  inrei".-ening  fog  j)revented  attract- 
ing a* teu'ion  to  the  Ijarge.  Thinkir.g  Jameson  would  consent 
to  join  them,  the  marauders  made  liirn  the  proposition,  but  he 
spurned  it  with  contempt,  and  san  astically  replied,  in  substance, 
that  he  was  in  ho])es  the  privareer  would  come  and  overhaul 
them,  so  he  could  have  tlie  privilege  of  wreaking  vengeanee 
upon  his  pillagers.  They  tlien  sternly  ordered  him  to  leave 
the  barge,  but  he  decideddy  refused  to  comply  v^tii  the  order. 
They  liieu  brought  his  wife  on  I^'oard,  it  is  said,  to  prevail  on 
her  hurijand  to  g<j  cisliDre,  v/ithoat  a  resort  to  toree.  but  he  wad 
fctdi  n:i\'iekiiri'j.  C'oiicludiug  to  ;'bidie  until  th^;  next  day,  they 
tinaliy  thought  they  would  let  him  remain  until  murning.  Th*^ 
next  morning  the  privateer  Ijeiiig  out  of  sight,  he  sa-w  no  hopes 
of  i*eJre>>  tvom  that  soarre  ami  so  wt?iu  asJiere  ot  his  own 
ac'-.jrd,  d:.'.-iar!iig  he  wuidd  liave  reseu^e  for  their .  a*.tions  tho 
next  time  he  euiue  aero-d  i'omrov.    The  barge  -oeui  :uter  Siuied. 

But  c'u:;  wa.-;  ivr.  th...-  nri'iU  oi  ;he  affair.  t'ew  years  rater 
peace  waa  de  ;Ufe:i,  Paul  Jaaiesoa,  a  brother  to  Hubert,  went 


34  SKETCHES  OP  THE 

master  of  a  Waldoboro  vessel,  and  this  same  Poniroy,  the  tory, 

■went  as  his  pilot.     On  a  return  trip  Irom  Bangor,  with  a 

cargo  of  boards,  the  vessel  put  into  Clam  Cove.  Learning 

that  Pomroy  was  on  board,  llobert  Jameson  told  his  brother — 

the  mfister — that  he  had  sworn  vengeance  on  him,  and  he  was 

detemiinud  to  have  satist'action.     His  brother  endeavored  to 

I  dissuade  him  from  the  act,  but  mild  counsel  could  not  prevail. 

f  The  sctMe  of  that  Vtell-remembered  day  in  which  he  was  | 

I  pluudere  i  by  the  direction  of  one  whom  he  had  always  known,  | 

I  but  nevej  injured,  v>-as  fresh  in  his  memory.    Ari  he  pondered  i 

i  it  over,  his  feelings  became  rankled  for  revenge,  and  he  sought  it.  | 

I  Groing  on  board  the  vessel,  he  found  Pomroy,  and  announcing  I 

I  his  intention,  he  forthwith  commenced  his  errand  by  letting    .  \ 

I  into  him  pfM/nis  et  calcihus.    Had  not  others  interposed  and  took  |  . 

!.  Jameson  otf,  poor  Pomroy 's  hie  would  doubtless  have  paid  the  I 

^  forfeit.     "\Vishing  to  see  if  he  was  dead,  Jameson  took  the  i 

I  bayonet  of  a  gun  that  was  near  by,  and  gave  him  a  gentle  1 

I  thnist,  but  finding  he  was  alive,  he  cast  upon  him  a  look  | 

s  of  satisfaction,  and  went  ashore.    Here  the  matter  ended.  1 

» 

Soon  after  the  above  ^iepra  larions  were  committed  at  Clam  j 

Cove,  the  following  pei-petration  and  exploit  took  place  at  j 

*  Meguntii  o^^k  :  Leonard  Metcalf  and  Andrew  Wells,  doscrv-ing  \ 

an  Engil-h  schooner  (of  Castine)  approaching  the  harbor,  con-  1 

ceived  ibe  foliomng  stratagem  to  deter  the  enemy  from  landing  :  i 

WelLj  havin:,'  a  drum,  brought  it  down  to  the  shore,  and  begun,  | 

'  martial  fa.-hion,  to     call  the  roll,"  and  to  play  away  most  t 

lustily.    ^Metcaif,  armed  wiih  liis  musket,  with  stentorian  voice,  f" 

gave  out  in  «  mandatory  manner,  military  onler-i.  as  though  he  1 

was  at  the  head  of  a  rej-iiui-nt.    The  ve-sel  at  first  was  g^'ing  to  i 

lend  only  one  barge,  bm  ^ui'.{lu-•:n;x  ti'om  the  sound  of  the  drum  | 

and  the  conuxiau'latory  voi«  e  of  .Metealf,  that  there  was  a  [ 

company  ambushed  and  in  readiness  to  give  them  a  reception,  | 

they  dispatched  a  lar'ier  f  )rcc,  consistir(g  of  three  l;arge>.  con-  J 

tainin-i  about  40  men.-*  They  lan<led  at  the  eove  jubt  north  .  \  ; 
of  Epma.  Barrert's  bou-e.  dv  —ed  in  red  ui.i;bnu.  ar.d  as  they 

raddenlv  a.-5.:-eadeJ  thj  bank,  thev  at  ou'-o  .<a\v  Z\Ietcalt  and  -l 


•  Oae  old  aetUcr  sayo  they  numbsrsd  Vj^X 


1687320 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN-,  35 

Weil:^,  and  fired  at  them,  when  ^letcalf  coolly  returned  the  tixa 
and  tied,  reloading  his  gun  as  he  ran,  but  stmubling  over  a  log, 
he  fell,  when  one  ot'  the  ac^sailants  exuitingly  ex.-Iainied,"  There's 

one  of  the  d          Vaukees  dead  7    Turning  round  and  ri^hig, 

Mett  alf  fired  airain.  and  retortea,  "  Thai'.-j  a  d          lie  i"  au<l 

ru>hin>j  for  the  thicket  near  at  !).tnd,  he  and  hi=  comrauti  were 
iiOon  out  of  :;ight  atid  on  their  way  to  Goo^e  lllvfr  to  spread  tho 
alarm.  The  maiauuerj  proceeded  to  sack  auii  burn  Maj.  J-Ilnot's 
hou<e,  (which  w:i3  siiuated  just  buck  of  Mr.  Ephraini  Barrett'--,) 
as  the  Major  in  particular  was  a  marked  num.  Lewi?  Ogicr'ii 
cabin,  on  Ogier's  Point,  wa.s  ne::t  vi-ited.  Mr^s.  Ugier  seeing 
them  a])proaching.  took  to  her  bed  and  leigucvl  siickuc--^.  Eii- 
teang.  they  ordered  her  to  leav-.-  fhe  house,  a-<  lacy  were  going 
to  tire  it.  AVith  the  voice  of  an  r^pparent  invalid,  she  told  them 
she  could  not  leave  her  couch,  and  that  she  wouhl  vlie  if 
removed.  Out  ot'  s\inpathy  tor  her,  the  h-iLi-e  was  spared. 
After  burning  Jas.  Richards'  hou-e,  and  several  hay  stacks  and 
the  house  of  a  poor  man  by  the  name  of  TJiaycr,  (who  alter- 
wards  moved  to  Fox  Islands,  wi.ere  liis  ilescendants  now  live.) 
they  then  destroyed  IMiiu)i's  saw  niili,  and  applied  the  niarch  to 
his  grist  mill,  but  a  cripple  by  the  "name  of  Dow,  from  BeliliSt,  * 
quenched  it.  As  often  as  they  fired  it,  Dow  would  perdstently 
extingui:>h  the  tiamo,  despite  of  their  ruughness  to  him  and 
threats  of  personal  violence,  until  at  last  t'ley  relin(|ui3heil  iheir 

efforts  l)y  saying,     "Well,  we  "11  let  it  alone,  as  tlie  d  rebel,-* 

will  die  if  we  burn  their  mill."  The  valor  of  Dow  saved  tln^ 
mill.  "W'iUiamson  in  his  History  of  Maine,  and  the  Ann^u:* 
of  ^Varren  and  other  accounts,  erroneously  attribute  its  preser- 
vation to  ^Iet(.-iLlr".  Our  version  is  that  of  Kobert  Thornd-ke. 
who  well  recollects  the  circumstance-  as  tl.c}  occurred.  The 
»<ttiers  daraig  th*>e  transactioiH  haa  >u  1  r>  the  Woods  l«-r 
satety,  and  vdth  ai  bitig  hearts  saw  from  diclr  retreats  the  smoke 
ai5(.'efid  trom  th<'ir  I'lu-ning  dwellings.  After  accomphshing  their 
deitm^-iive  purpos'.->.  the  invaders  dep.trt,-d  in  their  'oarge>. 
ha~rH::,;;.i  by  >hoi-  in-.u  v)me  of  the  setri.'r-^  in  anibush. 

•  Oae  old  settler,  ilr.  Ja-  K;charcs,  (a  5o:i  oi  rh-^  settler.}  iiifora* 
U3  that  Beifaat  wa.-*  f,  xcnj-rti-'l  at  thi-?  timt-,  and  niai:y  tt  th^i  tir»t  s<;tii«r*" 
good*  were  utors-i  in  ti..;  ixii:!,  and  u«bic«  Dow's  p^«;^^]*c3nc•. 


36  SKETCHES  OF  THE  ^,7. 

But  the  final  result,  like  the  Clam  Cove  affair,  did  not  end 
here.  Shortly  after  the  Kevolution,  John  Long,  the  tory  who 
piloted  the  English  here  on  the  above  occasion,  was  at  the  inn 
of  Peter  Ott  at  Goo&e  River,  now  Rookport.  Robert  Jameson, 
(before  mentioned.)  drivintr  up  to  the  tavern  with  his  horse,  went 
in  for  entertiiinment.  As  it  was  a  cold  day,  he  told  Ott  he 
wanted  him  to  build  up  a  ijood  brisk  fire,  as  he  wanted  to  warm 
himself,  and  added  that  there  was  one  man  present  that  he  was 
going  to  put  on  to  burn.  Ott,  thiuldng  it  was  only  a  joke,  piled 
on  the  wood,  and  soon  there  was  a  rousing  tire.  Jameson,  who 
was  a  verv"  stout  man,  then  seii:ed  Long,  and  cord-wood  fashion 
threw  him  on  the  fire.  By  the  time  Long  got  out  of  the  fire- 
place, his  tdce  and  hands  were  bli5Lered,  and  his  hair  badly 
singed  and  burned.  "  There,"  said  J.  to  him  after  he  was  upon 
his  feet  again,  "you  will  burn  the  harbor  ^iilage  ag;iin,  will 
you       As  Long  dared  not  retaliate,  it  thus  passed  olf. 

Neither  was  this  the  sequel  to  the  memorable  marauding 
transaction.  About  twenty-five  years  after  the  occurrence, 
Long  was  again  in  Camden,  and  meeting  Leonard  Metealf  in 
the  street,  recognized  him  and  extended  his  arm  to  shake  hands 
with  him,  when  Metealf  rejoined,  Let  every  dog  shake  his  own 
paw,"  and  pointing  to  the  burned  timbers  of  the  mill,  he 
continued.  *•  Ttiere,  look  at  that  mill,  sir,"  and  a.s  Long  turned 
Lis  head,  iletcait'  sti-uck  him  a  stmmkig  blow  ia  the  face  •with 
his  fist,  which  knocked  him  over,  when  he  fini.~ii>:d  the  payment 
ot  the  old  score  by  giving  him  a  severe  pommeiiag.  Col.  Eras- 
tus  Foote  hearing  the  fracas,  nm  out  of  his  olJice  to  see  what 
it  was,  when  Metealf  explained  the  matter.  I'oote  knowing 
the  antecedents  of  the  case,  laughed  heartiy,  and  declared  the 
retaliation  to  be  just,  and  handing  Metealf  a  douar,bade  him  go 
and  di-ink  his  health  ou  the  .trength  of  it. 

Near  the  same  period,  (about  the  year  17  79.)  Megunticook 
was  again  visited  by  the  enemy.  An  iWerican  coa.ster  being 
pursued  by  a  British  bar<;e,  containing  about  twehe  men,  was 
run  ai:I;ore  at  Ogler  s  Cov,j.  when  the  alarm  wa^^  jiven  to  Met- 
ealf, residing  in  that  w  inity,  who  alarmed  the  ii..ighboring 
lettlers.  ITiey  soon  caiixc  to  the  rescue,  an  i  serretiug  them- 
8*lv«  in  amb"«*ii  with  tic  v^siers  crew,  awaited  thu  tn^my'i 


i' 

I 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN.  -  37 

approach.  When  within  shooting  distance,  a  volley  from  three 
of  the  settler's  guns  held  them  in  cheek.  Metcalf  then  ran  out 
from  the  thicket  and  fired  at  them,  when  he  would  return,  load 
again,  and  repeat  the  act.  The  enemy  being  kept  at  bay  bj 
their  lives  thus  bein^r  put  in  jeopardy,  concluded  to  withdrp.w. 
The  settlers  the  next  day,  thinking  the  enemy  would  return  to 
take  the  prize  when  the  tide  should  be  favorable,  mustered  those 
in  the  vieiTiin-  of  Go^se  Kiver,  and  awaited  their  appearance, 
but  the  Enslish  did  not  think  it  proper  to  renew  the  attempt. 
On  the  next  rising  tide,  the  vessel  sailed  for  her  destination. 

On  this,  or  somu  similar  occasion,  the  Scottish  commander  at 
Biyayduce,  Gen.  Campbell,  dispatched  hisi  son  in  an  armed 
vessel  to  burn  the  settlement,  but  finding  nothinij  but  scattered 
log-huts,  the  Colonel  excused  his  non-compliance  with  his 
father's  orders  by  declaring  that  he  "  would  n't  lisk  the  lite  of  a 
man  for  all  the  sou  hoosts  [pig  sties]  there  was  in  the  place." 

Eaton  in  his  "  Annals  of  Warren,"  inspeaking  of  the  period 
under  review,  and  rsifemng  to  the  histor}'  of  this  town,  gives  an 
aiicount  of  the  following  transaction  :  '*  A  kind  of  tavern,  m  a 
log-liouse,  was  kept  at  Clam  Cove  by  \Vm.  Gregor}',  a  jolly, 
liu'ht-minded  man,  muwh  fonder  of  a  merry  story  than  a  poHtical 
discussion,  and  more  eager  to  amass  a  fortune  than  maintain  the 
rights  of  either  country.  He  was  reckoned  a  tor\',  and  his 
house  frequented  by  ilhcit  traders ;  though  he  was  often  plun- 
dered by  both  parties.  On  one  occasion,  about  this  time,  a 
kno^jking  was  heard  at  night  at  his  door.  He,  answering,  wai 
requested  to  open  his  door  to  a  friend ;  when  a^  he  did  so,  in 
ruihed  a  file  of  men,  all,  excepting  the  commander,  speaking  a 
foreign  tongue,  probably  the  Scotch  highland.  They  inquired 
if  two  deserters,  whom  they  described,  were  in  his  house ;  and 
being  'satisfied  they  were  not,  compelled  Gregory  to  go  with 
them  as  a  guide,  to  the  ferry  at  Thomaston.  On  their  arrival, 
the  boats  were  ail  on  the  other  side  ;  but,  after  a  httie  talk  not 
understood,  one  stripped  off  his  clothes  in  an  instant,  notwith- 
itandmij  the  colducis  of  the  w*3ather,  and  pluniiiii;]:  in,  soon 
returned  with  a  boat.  Leaving  Inm  to  dress  and  warm  himseli* 
&3  he  could,  the  rest  went  over  to  "VVatson's  house,  tound  the  de- 
fi-^rt-^rs,  returned  to  Clam  Cove,  and  eiabarked  before  the  dawa." 


38 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


2^  xa-33a.l3  o  2:" 


The  Minorbi^uyduce  expedition— Volunteers  Irom  Camden— Embar- 
kation—Arrive  at  Bii^uj-dut-.^T.iO  i-kirRiish- Saltou;tR!i— liie  defeat — 
Amerieau  rlcet  dc-troy-^d— Tlio  retreat— A  party  pass  ib.rou^^h  Camden — 
The  fortidoatiou  ou  Fine  Ilili— Camden  as  an  a=yium— f^atii  of  ai'lesiiance 
offered  tLe  Aruericiius— Bvlta<t  evacuated— .^ettier.i  li.e  to  Camden— The 
encampment  at  Ciara  Core— Names  of  oliicers— A  f':rce  s>-ationed  at  the 
Harbor  under  Burtim — A  ■•  shavi;:;^  visir-  uoc^o  Iviver — Incident — 

A  bnttie  amoi-^f  the  bears— I!ie  ranger  bear  kin-.d— A  white  faced 
bear  tilled. 


S  the  Bri'lsh  took  possession  of  Bi^uyduce  (Castine)  cm 


the  12th  of  June,  177D,  Massachusetts  soon  after  formed 


the  scbenie  of  dislcd^inr^  thera.  A  force  of  1200  men 
were  to  be  raised  severally  in  the  counties  of  Cumberland  and 
Lisccln,  in  the  iatter  of  which,  Camden  -wsls  then  embraced. 

Among  the  number  Tvho  were  dratred  from  this  place,  "we 
find  on  the  P:a--rolI  in  tlie  Sej.  ollice,  Boston,  tlie  names  X)f 
William  Gregory,  Peter  Oct,  Andrew  IrVel]-^,  and  Leonard 
Metcalf.  After  being  mustered  at  Townsend,  ihcj  were  drilled 
for  two  days  under  Generals  Wadsworth  and  Lovell,  previouB 
to  embarkinfi;  in  the  iiotiila,  which  consisted  of  19  armed 
vessels  and  24  transports,  at  the  head  of  which,  waa  the  frigate 
Warren  of  32  gund.  The  whole  tleet  was  unikr  the  comiriand 
of  Con:imodore  Saltonstail.  They  arrived  at  B:iu}duce  en  the 
25th  ot  July,  but  on  account  of  the  surf  occasioned  by  a  brisk 
■wind,  they  did  not  land  tor  two  days.  On  the  nicrnlnijf  oi"  the 
23th,  as  they  affected  a  landing,  a  briftk  fire  wxs  opened  upon 
them  by  the  enemy.  The  only  accessible  plrice  of  ascent  was 
up  a  nrecipice  2U"  feet  high,  up  which  one  company  of  our  men 
ascen.lc;ii  am:;lst  n.  d^^adening  volk-y  irom  th-'  ^l^-iuv,  while  two 
other  companies  deployed  to  the  right  and  ieit.  As  they  gained 
the  heights,  the  enemy  licd  to  their  ibrt,  leaving  behind  them 
30  killed,  wounded  and  taken  prisoners,  while  our  icai  in  the  20 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEX.  39 

minutes'  skirmish  numbered  100.  Instead  of  following  up  their 
success,  our  force  threw  up  a  breastwork  about  700  yards  ircra 
the  fort  where  they  made  their  stand,  and  thus  enabled  the 
enemy  to  strengthen  their  position — ior  they  were  on  the  point 
of  surrenJering.  \ie  v/i'A  not  here  go  inio^tho  detaiis  of  our 
unfortunate  expedition,  but  would  brieuv  state  that  after  fruit- 
lessly j;pending  a  fortnight  in  petty  skirmishes,  governed  by  the 
traitorous  counsels  of  the  detestable  Com.  Saltonstall,  the  ene- 
my's tieet  from  Ka'ilax  under  Sir  Geo.  Collier,  carrying  200 
guns  and  1,500  men,  entered  the  Bay.  *  "  A  retreat  was 
immeuiately  ordered  by  Gen,  Lovell.  and  so  conducted  during 
the  night  by  Gen.  Wadsworth,  that  the  whole  of  the  American 
troops  were  embarked  undiscovered."  f  Saltonstcili  soon  de- 
•troyed  his  fleet  by  running  some  aground  and  burning  tiietn, 
and  others  by  biowin LI  ihem  up  with' powder,  until  the  late  of 
them  all  was  thus  staled,  i:  With  a  scant  supply  ot  provisions, 
our  marines  and  soldiers  shaped  their  course  for  the  Kennebec. 
A  portion  guided  by  a  compass  led  the  way  for  succeeding 
parties  through  the  v.'oods  to  Fort  Halifax — opposite  to  Water- 
Yille — by  spotting  the  trets.  It  took  one  parcy  of  which  we 
know  particularly,  six  days  to  reach  the  Kennebec.  They 
ipent  two  days  in  crossing  one  cedar  swamp  as  there  were 
ipoitud  trees  on  both  sidts  of  it  made  by  the  preceding  party 
who  divided  there,  one  part  going  on  the  east  and  the  other 
other  on  the  west  of  it,  thus  causing  the  sub.s;^quent  party  to  go 
round  it  -sevaral  times.  The  next  division  of  the  main  force 
followed  the  shore  and  passed  throu'^li  B»-'haHt  and  Camden. 


i  -  '  Uc,-cr:;j.r.L'U  o:'  the  iIaj.:rLi;,".i;--.;;;:'J  expcuition.  .-.^ee  & 

bcbk  ,:i  J..;--,uri  <_  library,  eaticlti      il'c  of  VfnoL~cot, 

con':':-  ii  a  :'.,':rr.'^<  .  i  :i,v  J'r  ■ce<;un) oi  T'  •;  .  Forces  r.-.-ainat 
t!ie  i;. lu  July,  i:".'."  UTi^tcTi  by  -i  I.;ir>,'  v'T.  hi  \his  L^jv^Sc  is 
Jci'.a  (Jjiv-l's  >■  CLan  ul'  i^LubaOut."  v-,hich  ptaa  of  operalion* 

Oi  ttio  two  cor.ten'iiii;;  re,:-,  tiiu  po:-iiiuLs  of  C-i<.  u.r  u.  r;c.-i,  arinies.  ships, 
&c.  also  Vv'',:i,^  .     •■  iL,.-r_.  of  Acadia,  i'eiit>t ;-C'jc  Bay  and  iiiverj" 

Irom         lo  i   •       .  Ui..tory,  vol.  ii.,p.  lJ2-iJi. 

t:io  r(-[,rc'Ii',::.-ibiv:  -.v..-;        Coi.:iao.;tore'«j  conduct  in  iLie  sij^lit  ot  tli« 
'.tt         cu.-..:vrt-.i  by  tue  Court  of  K:.  ,.;./;  m  the  foiiowing 
^"-l '  <./!umiU'vUe  oS  iifi  Jiiv«sUgaU',u  ,v:*l  In  fyaad  in- the 


) 


40  SKETCHES  or  THE 

When  they  reached  this  settlement  they  were  much  fatigued 
and  hungry.  Seeing  a  churn  of  buttermilk  at  the  door  of  Mr. 
Richards'  hou=e  they  soon  disposed  of  it,  and  ate  raw  green 
peas  and  whatever  they  could  get  that  was  at  all  eatable.  This 
party  only  numbered  about  40,  and  belonged  principally  in  this 
section  of  the  State.  Just  before  the  ^^dajorbiciuyduce  expedi- 
tion, Gen.  George  Ulmer  (of  Ducktrap)  threw  up  a  slight  timber 
breastwork  on  the  summit  of  Pine  Ilili,  at  Ciarn  Cove.  *  which 
mounted  only  ono  IS  pounder;  and  after  our  d?if;\t,  Camden 
vra.3  looked  to  by  the  friends  of  freedom  on  the  Penobscot  for 
protection,  as  will  soon  appear.  As  soon  as  ibe  Bri:i.^h  gained 
possession  ct  the  Peninsular,  Cant,  Brewer  and  others  with  their 
familie.--,  from  along  Penobscot  river,  procured  a  passage  on 
board  a  vessel  to  Camden,  f  which  Gen.  Ulmer  took  comnjand 
of.  Ar  the  same  time,  rather  than  to  take  the  British  cath  of 
allegiance,*  the  inhabitants  of  Beir<i?t  to  a  man  Ictt  thoir  homes 
and  came  to  Caoi'if  n.  They  arrived  here  on  the  uiorning  of  the 
15th  of  August.  Only  about  half  a  dozen  families  remained  in 
Camden,  while  the  remainder  went  to  Warren,  Saco,  Bristol, 
New  Hampshire  and  I\I<issav  busetts.  The  principal  part  of 
those  who  halted  in  Ciimdcn,  iound  cjuarters  at  Ciarn  Cove  at 
the  house  of  Tollman,  (rregory  and  others,  and  at  the  Harbor 
at  the  house  of  Richards,  and  at  the  Kiver,  at  the  house  of  the 
TLornd;.:e3  and  olbers.     The  barracks  at  Clam  Cove  were 


*  A  few  months  oince  we  visited  Pine  Hill  to  see  if  there  were  any  tracei 
cif  the  lortjflcation.  but  no:  a  vestige  it  was  to  be  s-ot-a;  the  locfs  of  it 
remained  uuti!  lsJ7.  Grure  and  chuin  ."hot,  have  beeu  found  near  the 
tite  of  the  o!d  furt,  ar.d  some  ueur  the  place  of  the  barracka.  lately.  The 
prospect  of  the  jurrouadin;^  ^cuuery  vias  one  cf  the  nio^t  corntnanding 
that  couM  be  ob^aiiied  for  niatiy  miles  distance,  arsd  consef^ueiitiy  a 
better  sit'.ation  lor  a  fortres-^  way  not  cltainabje  ia  this  vicinity. 

t  Aiihou;?h  this  town  wa«  not  incorpofaled  until  1791,  yet  it  wan  known 
by  the  n.iuie  of  C'.aniJeti  several  years  before  it.«  incorjci-i-tioa,  and 
particul.iriy  duriae^  the  K-jvolutioa,  of  wluch  we  ghajl  ^peuii;  in  the  proper 
place.    From  tlii'S  time  we  aliall  caii  it  by  the  name  it  then  v.ent  by, 
Carad'-n. 

ZTbe  British  oath  of  allesiance  tendered  to  the  American  people  by 
Bri,:;.  Geu.  McLean  at  this  tiine.  Aviii  be  fcand  in  the  "  Seiiije  of  Peuob- 
•cot,  '  p  a  counter  proclamation  by  Ciea.  S.  Lovell,  lasued  the  next 
aaoQth,  vfuk  aiijo  be  fouad  la  Ui«  bock- 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN.  4l 

half  a  mile  from  the  fort,  and  were  situated  just  back  of  -wher* 
Mr.  John  Gregor}-'g  barn  now  stands.  Besides  the  barracks, 
(which  might  more  properly  be  called  a  she'i,  as  it  was  raerelr 
a  temporary  structure.)  Mr.  Gregory's  barn  wa«  appropriated 
for  the  use  of  the  soldiers,  and  to  many  of  those  who  lied  here 
for  safety.  Half  of  Mr.  Gregory's  log  house  was  occupied  by 
the  ofKcers,  and  as  he  soon  after  built  another  cabin  down 
towards  the  pond,  he  gave  them  posfjcssion  of  the  whole  house, 
and  removed  into  his  new  one. 

The  force  stationed  at  the  Cove  numbered  200  men,  of  which 
Gen.  Ulmer  was  chief  in  command.  Among  the  otficers  wer« 
Lieut.  Kcllo:h,  (of  Warren.)  and  Cipt.  Blunt.  John  '^larsh 
of  Oroiio  was  the  Indian  interpreter,  as  we  had  also  a  company 
of  Penobscot  Indians  connected  with  our  force  there.  Mr. 
John  Gregory,  now  89  years  of  age.  well  recollects  having  seen 
the  Indians  frequently  play  ball  near  the  barracks,  as  it  waa 
one  of  their  favorite  diversions.  The  Indians  under  the  juris- 
diction of  Mr.  Marsh,  (he  being  a  general  interpreter  to  the 
Government,)  were  those  embraced  in  the  territory  between 
Maine  and  Rhode  Island.  His  family  lodged  in  the  barracks, 
and  while  there,  bis  son  Benjamin,  who  now  resides  in  Orono, 
was  bora  Oct.  29,  1780.  Wm.  Gregory,  on  whose  land  the 
barracks  were,  acted  as  commissary.  At  ihe  same  time  the 
encampment  was  established  at  Clam  Cove,  Lieut.  Benj.  Benton 
was  stationed  at  Camden  Harbor  with  a  small  force.  As  the 
settlers  of  Belfast  left  their  corn  and  other  grain  standing  in 
their  fields,  Peletiah  Cortheil  was  dispatched  in.  a  boat  to  go  up 
and  gather  a  load.  Filling  the  boat  with  corn,  he  returned 
without  molestation. 

On  the  14th  of  August,  1779,  a  shaving  mill  "  containing  % 
crew  of  12  men  came  to  Goose  Kiver,  in  quest  oi  the  settlers' 
live  stock.  At  the  time  they  landed,  the  men,  Robt.  and  Paul 
Thorndike,  were  gone  over  to  the  mill  at  Westkeag.  Th« 
marauders  first  indicated  their  appearance  by  shooting  a  calf  in 
the  back  yard.  Vir^  Trorndike,  ibinkm^^  •  ^v- r h-^r  ?ons  had 
been  shot  by  them,  seized  her  child,  Jame*.  thea  three  week* 
old.  and  rousing  another,  a  daughter,  who  was  a:"l?ep,  she  rushed 
for  the  woods  just  ba<:k  of  the  hou^e,  »nd  there  she  remaiaed 


42  SKETCHES  OF  THE  4.^- 

secreted  until  morninsr,  Trhen,  -with  treinbiin!]i;  step  she  cautiouslj 
approached  her  house  to  find  that  its  contents  were  left  un- 
harmed. On  such  alarms  the  settlers  and  their  famille?.  i^ener- 
aliy  tl-d  to  the  -^voocls  for  safety,  their  re«i>tanct;  would  be  but 
ieebl-j  and  u.-eiv^s  against  an  armed  foe  of  superior  numbers. 

Abouc  this  time  occurred  the  ibUowing  bear  incident :  Late 
in  the  aKernoon,  one  day.  the  wife  of  Jamoi  Richards  heard  a 
terrilL-  r.o:>e  unou  the  mcuntaiu.  and  looking  out  of  the  door 
the  cause  was  discernable, — it  proved  to  be  a  battle  between  a 
large  ranger  bear  aud  one  of  the  common  kind.  As  goon  as 
her  hv.sbind  returned  home,  she  notified  him  of  the  occur- 
rence, when  he  replied.  "  Well,  I'll  have  a  merry  time  with 
them  in  the  morning.''  He  bovvever  concluded  to  go  out  with 
his  gun,  accompanied  by  hid  iiide  dog  ;  ar.d  on  coming  up  bj 
the  mo  ;ntain,  on  the  westerly  side,  he  saw  traces  of  blood,  and 
approa  hing  still  nearer,  a  large  pivice  of  iedge  was  covered 
with  the  purple  gore.  The  ranger  bear,  it  appears,  had  the 
condiot  wiih  two  others,  which  he  mastered  and  kdled,  and 
when  Mr.  R.  arrived  he  had  partly  devoured  one  of  them. 
Creeping  up  behind  a  large  tree,  unperceived  by  bruin,  Mr. 
R.  discharged  his  piece  at  him,  and  awaited  the  result.  Writh- 
ing in  an  agony  of  pain,  bruin  tore  up  the  earth,  wrenched  up 
and  broke  the  roots  of  trees,  and  finally  with  a  mouth  full  of 
foam,  he  stretched  himself  and  expired.  An  old  settler,  in 
describing  his  great  size,  telU  ua  that  "  one  of  his  fore  paw« 
filled  a  peck  measure." 

An  other  bear,  having  a  white  face — the  only  such  ever  seen 
here — was  shot  near  the  same  time  by  Mr.  Richards  and 
Leonard  ^Metcaif,  upon  Mount  Batty. 

At  the  risk  of  being  digressive,  we  hare  endeavored  to  pre- 
sent o  .'currences  in  the  order  of  time  in  which  they  o-ccurred, 
as  we  shall  continue  to  do,  that  we  may  thus  be  enabled  ta 
present  to  the  mind  of  the  reader  a  correct  continuous  sketch 
of  our  history. 


I 

I 

f 

r 


4S 


Capture  of  an  Ea«t  Indiaman  by  Capt.  Tucker— Chased  by  Capt.  Mo-weft 
— Hobt.  Thomdike  taken  as  pilot— Pam?  into  New  Sleado-w?— Blockaded— 
Escapes— Rung  into  Salem— Thorndike  rewarded— Anolher  ci\a?e — An 
Engli=Ii  and  an  American  Privateer  at  Goose  Ei%-er— John  iiarknees' 
exploit— Heroism  of  M}53  Ott— The  Dark  Day — Penobscot  Bay  irosen 
over— Lon»  the  Tory  taken  prisoner— Peace  declared— Reception  of  the 
news — A  jubilant  time — Toasits  givrn — A  rcflf-cuon.  . 


NE  of  our  first  settlers  havm;j  been  an  actor  in  the  fol- 


lowing interesting  episode  of  the  Revolution,  we  will 


here  incorporate  it  with  the  sketches  of  the  period 
under  review. 

Capt.  Samuel  Tucker  of  Marblehead,  while  era ismi^  in  the 
vicinity  of  Biuehill,  in  an  American  privateer,  fell  in  with  a 
Danish  built  English  merchantman,  or  as  she  was  called,  an 
East  Indlaman,  which  was  bound  from  Halifax  to  BiCcuj^durc 
with  a  rich  cargo  of  East  India  goods.  With  but  little  resistance 
Tucker  captured  her  as  a  prize,  and  immediately  ^hap'H^  hi-» 
course  for  Penobscot  Bay.  In  the  meantime,  Capt.  Mo  wet  t, — 
of  infamous  celebrity, — being  apprised  of  the  capture,  forthwith 
started  in  an  armed  vessel  from  Biguyduce,  m  pursuit  of  the 
privateer  and  prize.  Tucker,  while  sailing  among  (he  i^ands 
abreast  of  Camden,  came  across  a  fibbing  craft,  on  board 
of  which  was  Robt.  Thorndike  of  CaruJen.  A.^^ainst  his  remon-- 
strances,  Thorndike  was  taken  by  Tucker  to  act  as  h:3  pilot. 
Being  closely  pursued  and  fired  at  by  Mov.-ett,  the  privateer 
was  piloted  up  to  New  ^.leadows,  (near  Harpj^well)  and  passim; 
m  by  the  ledges  waj  embayed  in  a  place  wliere  Mowctt  could 
not  approach.  Fearful  of  the  Indians  on  one  side  and  the  shoal 
water  on  the  otlicr,  Morv-ett  dared  not  ri;k  <hki  .  Iiances  of  man- 
ning a  barge,  f^r  the  odd.s  would  be  againsL  him,  and  so  he 
concluded  to  blockade  the  entrance  until  assijlance  could  arrive. 
Tucker  verily  though.t  it  wa?  a  gone  case  with  hisii,  and  feared 


44  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

after  all,  be  should  be  captured  and  the  prize  retaken.  <But 
Tborndike,  •who  knew  perfectly  well  the  coast,  assured  him 
that  if  he  remained  until  the  next  dark  night,  he  (Tboradike.) 
"«'ould  guide  him  safely  out.  After  bei:u'  l/ioekadcd  for  three 
davr.  it  bc;:-an  tov;arJs  night  to  r:tin  and  tbiokt.n  up  dirk.  A 
good  north-eait  Tvind  springing  up,  they  saileii  out  noljly,  and- 
stef^red  their  cour.-ie  for  Port'an  b  i^dov/ea  the  next  ddv  began 
to  5edicb  for  our  Yankee  c-rtf-in  by  s^ilir.g  lorards  Portland, 
(then  called  FaitnouA, -which  h^^  burned  during  tbe  ReToluiu-)n,) 
and  caught  sight  ot  him  whe  i  at  Cape  Elizabeth,  soon  after 
whitju  Tucker  wiih  his  prize  run  iui.o  Salem. 

Tiiorndike.  invested  vrith  fb"'  authority  of  prize  iiiaster,  was 
Icrt  on  board  alone  with  an  e*anty  iron-iioanJ  cbc-'c,  r/ith  the 
implied  understanding  that  he  misht  till  it  vvith  wbatevor  ho 
pleased  as  a  remuneration  for  his  services.  But,  r'?c:arding 
the  whole  transaction  m  the  light  of  piracy,  he  declined  accept- 
the  liberal  ctTer  thu?  made  him.  The  vacant  chest  was 
50on  af^er  lowered  into  a  i)oat  and  carried  ashore.  The  goods 
w^re  *b3n  transported  by  L^nil  to  Boston,  and  there  disposed 
of.  Ho^.-ever,  befc.'re  Ti:or::-:;';'3  left,  he  was  s^o  liberally  com- 
pensated as  to  ft.el  perfjctiy  sadsSed. 

A  s'  crt  tifL^e  r.ft  :-rwards,  Cjvpt.  Ti'.cker  went  as  commaader 
of  a  f-vrar.  carryiniz  tLirty--iA  guns,  called  tbe  ''  Boston." 

B.iu_  .  -p_.rchi:d  to  search  for  avi:!  capLure  Mowett,  he  came  to 
Go-'>e  Fwvcr.  vdi-jre  betook  Tborndike  oa  board  a>  pilot.  On 
rtaciiix-.g  Craiibtrry  Islands  h-  four.il  seme  tories,  or  spies,  had 
disclo-^cd  his  plan  to  iSIowett.  which  information  enabled  the 
Br''--h  commander  to  escapr,  and  caused  the  abandonment 
of  ^rc  i.n. 

At  abj'.t  rbis  Ume.  an  Ameri-an  priVateer  of  about  forty  tuns 
cap'ure'i  ari  j-ingiish  private :t  of  about  the  same  5^ize,  and 
brought  tl,e  prize  and  pri^on.jr::!  into  troose  Ilivcr.  indicative 
of  tbe  biivd  and  sanguinary  conflict  they  had  b^ea  engased  in, 
wer«?  tb.jir  d  ".  [•;-,  which  were  covered  v;ith  blco'b  and  '•heir 
■  -  'i-  'i  '  '  ^"ot.  rtf.-l  !'  lyA'.\-:  y:  V:':-.r-;N;d  v.-irh  liabs, 
n;'i.:y  vl  .  -.v;,';-.'        C!i:Lv  i  .::d  ;is  ',,-ou.-:  ;dmo:>t  s..'eia  to 

con.'^'iriite  their         i!>jp...-netrable  to  inrtb.er  hroa.I.jitle  ch-'irnzes. 


f 

I 
I 

f 


•    HISTORY  OP  CAxMDEy.  4o 

After  undergoing  ueces.-^ary  repairs,  the  pri/:e  and  ptiioneri 
were  carried  to  Portland. 

Dunne:  tnis  ix-nod  occurred  a  darmir  expicit  of  JoliXi  Ilark- 

Kiver.  At  Tl:s  tiaie  iie  wai  .inmarnea,  and  tuveu  im  a 
caoin  aione.  A  cian  ot  Bn;i.^a  mariuUdrs  coaiiiisr  asiiOiu  .a 
.  oi  pi^'.a  ,jouilt'-'.  I  T  to  ui  c^t;in  li .  -i  ->  u  i  )^ 
ao>v.i  *,  *i  2  .'  d  i  L  v^i'i  Oi  !j  t  \  J  u  I  ^  '  ^^i  c'lS,  i"- 
cla  lif  ^  ui  2UII  nJ  (.-ir.'L  i  tl.  u  do^vn  th .\  ;  ^ 
twree  men  to  ^aa"d  t  e  boit  t.^        ^        c  c  '  ^  ^      i  ^ 

of  oruer  booty,  ^vhiie  tnu.^  zuarani.-  l  iCir  i  i-::(;UL-a  Cf;.«jn, 
li  V  M  e-^  I  i->v.\o>^ri  ^  f 'n.in  icati.L«'pt 

and  crorising  the  stream,  he  unoiiserveuiy  an[  rf-'.'.-.iicii  tuern,  aJ;u 
coiutnt;  out  oi  tne  thickLu  bv  the  rivers  su^.  uria;u;e:t,  tiu^.v 
vrere  not  at  ail  ar-preiieriiive  o.  any  danger  iroui  ci  bin^^ni  mun 
lu  hi.s  suuai.on.  Jumping  into  the  bari2;e,  ce  r^uizea  his  ;iun, 
wnen  t  t     c      -"p  e  i  to  ?r)  » ju-u  to  -vvrGa*  i   i  ->i  i  h  in,  bit 

i-*Mit    1.3  X  1^   L  ^  ^  .  \t     I  It  at       h         1  o)       ^  T 
I-    ^  .u.'     ,      I  ud  I    ai  It  t'  ^    i'l      .       "  „  '  a 

vrn  .1  I-     ^     h  ^     /ua      ^        )   .    t  or 

L     '  he  u,  ..rp  K  d    1  o      *  0  >  jjd-.  i  a*  "     .  i 

r".,i._fjrs  to  aiteiiipt  a  hazauion  ;  pursuit,  or  coiUfiu  Li\cniif.'l\ e-* 
<'.:rcLpin'.r  uir:;  uier-iiru  chii-.^e  ot  hi.-?  inas,.;,-t. 

LO.  "V.diaii-.  tii,-a  u  '.     Al  UOdi"  lue  saiui  iiir.'j  Oi.   tm.;  .'VJovf^ 

£^    -  ,                „  \  I  "he  -  -I  I    ijS  ^'^  I  t'.e 

:  I           n  .  01  K-^  "  1  ■    "  -         t  ' 

I  < '  '  J        <  '  L  t  "  ^  -d 

'  •    I."  cn :      "   t  ^  i^uor,        1  .  ci  ii<- 

d  wo  "all  '    ^-^    I »     1  "0,  \  i  -    I  t  't 

1   "         A       }  t     .  I  oi'        "V.J     ,  -  I  la-'    1  lor- 

'  Mr.  ( -■:  t:  .  -.:r-,.-,   .i  ;;,v;.,.l  Day 

l^a'dou  -o  r  J  '  ill   ti,(  1  ►  1       \     iJ  <     -  J  tl.<; 

itateu,  m  .Numocr  iv. 


46  SKETCHfi*  OT  THJI 

ward  and  stayed  the  flow  of  the  liquor,  by  placing  her  hand 
upon  the  aperture.  One  of  the  men  presented  a  pistol  at  her 
head,  when  she  knocked  it  aside  with  the  other  hand,  and 
persisted  in  protecting  her  father's  property.  Pier  fearless  per- 
sistency had  the  eriec:  of  &avini,f  what  tiaiiuity  v/oiild  have  lo3t. 

17S0,  May  10:h,  occurred  the  "Dark  Day,"  so  celebrated 
throughout  New  Enulaad,  which  is  well  remembered  by  a 
number  of  our  uicst  a-zed  citizens.  One  informs  us,  that  his 
father  wa.s  plowing  in  the  tield  at  the  time,  and  the  darkness 
was  so  great  that  he  unyoked  hia  oxen  and  drove  them  into  the 
barn.  In  the  house,  his  mother  had  to  light  a  candle.  The 
hens  retired  to  roost,  and  different  kinds  of  animals  laid  down 
to  rest,  a5  at  the  usual  approach  of  ni^'ut.  Seme,  thinking  the 
final  day  of  doom  was  at  hand,  were  seized  with  trepidation 
and  alarm,  which  was  only  dispelled  by  the  appearance  of 
returning  day.  * 

The  winter  of  17S0  being  very  severe,  Lieut.  Benj.  Burton, 
then  stationed  at  Camden  Harbor,  went  over  to  Castine  on  the 
ice  with  a  flag  of  truoe,  to  obtain  the  releas'e  of  a  young  man 
by  the  name  of  Llbby  of  Warren,  who  had  been  taken  from  an 
American  schooner  a  prisoner  the  precedinf^  fall.  Succeed- 
ing in  his  mission,  Burton  returned  with  Libby  in  the  same 
manner. 

During  the  year  17Si  Capt.  John  Long,  the  notorious  tory 
before  mentioned,  was  captured  in  this  town,  (at  the  Harbor,) 
and  carried  as  a  prisoner  to  Boston,  nnder  <  ha'-ge  of  Philip 
Robbins  of  L'nion.  Sibh?y,  In  his  History  of  Union,  in  speaking 
of  the  event,  says,  "  His  (Uobbins'j  bill  bearing  date  of  May 
1,  to  M::iy  5,  1781.  so  great  was  the  depreciation  of  the  conti- 
nental currency  p?per,  amounted  to  £l28  -/s.,  including  the 
charge  to  meet  the  exr  cn^es  on  his  return.  Long  aiterwards 
escaped.    Robblua  took  him  agam  and  carried  him  back.-' 

Anticipations  of  the  iermination  of  the  war  -greatly  relieved 
the  minds  of  our  people  v/ben  the  provisional  articles  of  peace 
were  agre«^d  upon  wi-h  <  ■•i<  Brirain,  on  the  .;  '.' .  ■  Xov  ,  1782, 
by  which  that  power  a j:ino^vhHi<ied  our  nat;o>iai  ;;..^.-pendence. 

•  OpLuions.on  the  caus'i  ui  tuc  JJurk  Day  will  be  ^•/a::^-  ;n  u  mtlKT  from 
Ju!3g«Saia'l  T»aa&f  m  ttn  JUi»t.  C-^U.,  vol.  1,  p**;*  ir-*. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEX.  .47 

Bat,  when  the  news  of  the  dehnite  treaty  of  pcaoe  wa.-< 
recc^ived,  v/hich  was  signed  at  Paris  ths  Z-l  of  Sept.,  178d, 
aati2ipal!0n  turned  into  : eal'ziition,  a-ul  :\-::clsniaiion3  of 
general  jov  i  the  au.iOanoeQieiit  o;  tr.e  ■j.iad  iiiiAli- 

:Tenc!j.    0:\        -■     ^-lou  oi'  Me  gi- 1  'i  v_  :.iaden,  the 

loue  13  pounder  on  tise  saraoih.  ot'  Fine  Il'h  b-:'cu'-.d  torth  the 
report  in  tonei  iiko  ihunder,  when  Lue  B(ic-h  at  Bigiiyduce 
caught  the  sviiid  ai.i  echoe-1  ".t  back  again.  At  this  signal, 
ixtoit  cf  the  male  iiihabiiants  oi  Cauiden,  together  vith  a  dozen 
olheers  and  privates  from  Cam  Cove,  exr.'ressive  of  Uieir 
gladsome  leeiin;:^;  aisembled  at  the  log  house  of  Kohl.  Thorn- 
dike  at  Go;-.e  ilh^er,  (Rockport.)  where  preparations  were 
made  for  oeiebraurig  the  occa.-  ion.  It  was  then  customary  at 
most  all  civil  gatherings  to  enkindle  the  feeimgs  by  potations 
from  '-the  flowing  bowd,"  and  consequently  it  is  not  at  ail  strange 
that  oar  early  settlers  on  the  present  occasion  if  ever,  should 
indulge  in  the  common  custom;  Tiie  actions  of  min  are  to  be 
judged  by  the  li^jht  of  the  iailuence  with  which  they  are 
surrounded,  and  hf-.-nce  no  fuvii  or  iV)o'ogies  are  here  required 
for  tba  way  our  pr^triot  setth':  s  :iaYe  vent  to  die  cbulhaon  ot 
ihesr  feeiin'js  ac  the  success  Ot"  iheir  country's  cau^c.  A  hoi-i' 
hiix'i  was  ran|,!-ii,  on  tho  head  of  vdiich  w/.s  branded  the  name 
ot  Rum."  .Vfter  p-anaking  of  a  feast  of  bread,  chee,-e  and 
li-h,  the  company  then  passed  o round  the  occala,"  and  drank 
to  the  health  of  the  prominent  actors  in  the  struggle  that  had 
just  achieved  our  national  independence.  As  they  marched 
around  the  hoj-hea:,  drinking  of  its  contents  and  growing 
more  merry  under  its  ia'.luenc e,  the  toasts  v/ere  multiplied  to 
sa<,h  an  extent  as  would  make  our  country  verily  a  paradise  in 
case  the  sentiments  expressed  r  ere  realized.  Among  the  toasts 
given,  we  will  give  the  loilowing  sample,  which,  ivithal,  seems 
to  smack  somewhat  of  the  mauuhn  condition  of  the  one  who 
gave  it : — 

Wd.5hir:i'ton"3  ];ealth  i;  shall -^o  round,  ■  .       ■  / 


L  - 


48 


iSBTCHES  OF  TH2 


Ths  foregoing  passed  off  as  a  "toast,"  but  we  should  presurn* 
it  "was  a  verse  from  some  doggerel  song,  judging  from  the 
accosnpaniment.  The  te3tivitiGs  were  kept  up  until  morning, 
when  the  dawn  of  day  admonished  them  that  it  was  time  to 
bring  them  to  a  close. 

Thus  closed  the  period  of  the  Revolution  with  the  early  set- 
tiers  of  Camden.  Tneir  actions  declare  their  patriotism  in  the 
noble  cause  of  Freedom,  and  teach  their  descendants  to  prise 
their  dearly  bought  blessings  of  Liberty  as  an  invaluable 
inheritance. 


KlitORY  or  CAMMX. 


Metcalf'i  esploit  with  a  bear— Another  bear  story— Michael  Davia 
the  hunter— Hii  appearance  desoribed— Cau=e  assigned  for  his  eccentri- 
city—The real  cause — The  moose  incident— His  peculiar] ties— The  intrud- 
ing mooi<i — Eelinquiihes  huntiag— His  death. 


MONG  the  iccidenta  of  our  early  history  that  have  come 


down  to  U3,  there  is  none  more  extensively  known 


than  that  of  Metcalf  riding  the  bear  down  the  moun- 
tain. But  few,  however,  are  conversant  with  the  details  of  the 
incident,  which  we  will  here  endeavor  to  faithfully  record, 
that  the  correct  version  may  henceforth  be  known.  The 
time  of  itji  occurrence,  was  the  winter  succeeding  the  Itevoiu« 
tion — 17b3— S  I,  as  near  as  we  can  ascertain. 

Leonard  Metcalf  and  WeLber,  in  company  with  James 

Richards,  went  out  one  day  on  a  moose  hunt.    The  only  gun 
in  the  company  was  that  carried  by  Eiohardd,  while  the  two 
others  went  armed  with  a  hatchet  each.     As  the  company 
divided,  Richards  kept  at  the  base  of  Mt.  Batty,  while  the 
others  ascended  it,  and  kept  the  same  course, — towards  Cana- 
an-   Mr.  Richards'  two  dogs  had  scared  up  an  old  bear,  on 
the  western  slope  of  the  mountain,  and  a>cer  shooting  it,  Mr. 
R.  went  in  search  of  his  companions,'  to  r.j, prise  them  of  hij 
Buccess.    In  the  meantime,  Meccaif  an  i  \  ■  -jbber  had  found 
the  lair,  where  the  two  cubs,  of  oonsideraole  ..'se,  were  secreted. 
They  tried  to  ferret  them  out  of  the  den,  by  building  a 
fire  and  smoking  the  entrance.    As  one  of  the  cubs  essayed 
to  come  out,  Metcalf  made  a  dab  at  him  with  his  jack  knife. 
It  then  ruihed  out  of  the  den,  when  Metcalf  -e'zed  it  by  the 
ears  and  Lal/o-  a      '  ^' :  ^  :r  to  come  and  I.-..  ....  it  in  the  head 

with  hiS  batchi;';,  but  tiirouirh  fear  he  dared  n:A  approach  to 
render  aiiistance.  I  ar-ing  "v^Vbber  for  his  cowardice,  Metcalf 
jumped  bestrid'i  the  aainiai,  wbicli  dashed  with  fright  down 


fc 

■  J 


50  sKETCB'E?   OF   THE       '■  '    ■    '  " 

the  decievitv,  trying  to  tarow  otF  it.s  tenacious  rider.  Frlmiy 
grasping  the  bears  neck  with  one  hand,  Metcalf  tried  to  cut 
its  throat  with  his  knife,  which  he  held  in  the  other,  but  the 
blade  kept  shuctin^  up.  so  that  his  attempts  to  despatch  him 
were  in  vaia.  A-"^  r  vi'liivr  down  nearly  to  the  base  of  the 
mountain.  tcar'n:j;  his  clothes,  and  scratching  his  legs  badly  by 
the  bvi-hes  an  1  cru;t  of  -hj  ?n3w,  he  was  met  bj  Kicliards, 
who  :;!;^h:  -  -  ;;:.".::c;--;  I  li:.'::\ori  the  bear  in  the  head 
with  h;.i  h.t.,'.;it,  an.l  »"Lui  r ■.•1.^ i  Metcalf  iroai  his  critical 
situation.  They  then  returned  to  the  den  and  shot  the  other 
cub,  and  thus  closed  the  exciting  aJveniure.  This  occurred 
on  the  slope  of  the  mountain  near  Timothy  Fay's  place. 

In  passing,  we  will  relate  another  bear  story,  which  occurred 
a  short  rime  after  the  foregoins^  adventure. 

One  day  Mr.  Hichards  and  Jessum  Wintworth,  (who  came 
from  Briritoh')  went  ou  a  bear  hunr.  The  doL'^  ferreting 
out  a  den,  cave  the  alarm  by  br.rkin'^'  until  the  men  ap- 
proached. Wintworth  came  up  to  the  den  with  his  axe,  and 
struck  at  the  bear,  but  the  axe  slipped  out  cf  his  hands,  and 
bruin  in  return  struck  at  him.  and  hittin-i  his  srovf  shoes, 
tripped  him  up.  and  was  in  the  act  of  pouncin  i  on  him,  when 
Mr.  Ki.'h^^rdi  ii-  he- 1  upon  the  bear,  strn-k  him  upcn  the  head, 
aud  kil'cd  hie:.  iiiC  two  cabs  then  came  out  of  the  den, 
and  vvcre  despatched  liiryvvise. 

The  number  cf  bears  killed  in  C-invlea  by  Mr.  Richards 
amounted  to  30,  r.nd  th*-*  number  of  nioo^.-i  ro  7i'. 

Abo;--:  ^hir  ti;:::.  \  tbere  f;.:?':n        •^ -.pe-^r  in  the 

woods  a:.  1      '^'.^^'.^        s  ■ricmont  <y.c?..iov:r. .     i-antcr  by 
the  TiZiLz       :".L,d  Davi?,  tbrmrrly  cf  !•  ■  II.  He 

waa  an  e:.:cni;:'7    b.:!'a-. ' .;r,  and  used  to  t^- .     ;  ■  T'/nju;^h  the 
wcu^li,  hMniinj  a;;d         ^iniz  irom  the  J-I  /  .  to  the  Pe- 

n'Jb:..o^ -:.rr;  '"inK;  I  "  -  b;-:!  td3  -L  r.         -:iosisted  on 

thu  pre  luc'S  cf  lae  iA...-j.    \  ho  v;-;'.  t  '  \:-  ^■^ttlements 

it  was  aeneraliy  to  c.i' .  >  iiis  furs  anrl  ve::;:.:-i  :':r  ammuni- 
tion and         ~  n      -  ■  He  h  \i  bfc:-   •:     -       ted  by 
L.Atca  in  V..^  ...                   ...  a,   as   haviu.;    -  ^^'n  clad  m 

skins,  but  su^-h  we  irrarn  ';:•<  j^r'aJ  aiuhority  was.  net  the  case'. 
He  usuallv  wore  a  white  lijose  ccat,  under  which  waa  a  wide 


HISTORT  OF  CAMDEN.  51 

collared  hunting  shirt,  surrounded  by  a  belt  at  the  wabt  in 
which  -was  stuck  his  hunting  knife.  His  drecrsed  leather 
breeches  -were  after  the  small  clothes'  fashion,  which  -were 
united  to  woolen  stockings  at  the  knees  by  silver  buckles.  De- 
«cf.ndirg  from  just  below  the  knees  'were  his  leather  leggins 
which  were  thrust  inside  his  moose-skin  mcccasins  or  shoei. 
The  hat  he  wore  rtsemblcd  the  modern  Kossuth  style.  His 
onique  appearance  ^aa  enhanced  by  a  long  white  beard  which 
desended  to  his  breast,  and  thus  the  more  greatly  attracted 
attention  and  excited  curiosity.  But  his  aptitude  in  relating 
stories  of  his  personal  adventures  so  engaged  the  attention  of 
chil'lren,  and  excited  their  delight,  that  they  always  gladly 
hailed  his  appearance.  Some  atcnbuted  his  eccentricities  to 
disapointment  in  love,  but  there  was  another  rumor  to  this 
effect :  he  once  moved  in  good  society,  and  was  the  owner  of 
considerable  property  which  was  priocipaily  invested  in  a  farm. 
Being  at  a  tarven  one  night  with  some  companions  engaged  in 
ft  scene  of  festivity,  cards  were  introduced,  and  under  the  in- 
fluence of  strong  drink,  and  the  excitement  of  the  game  he 
staked  his  money,  and  105*:  it.  He  next  hazarded  bis  tarm, 
which  he  agreed  to  mortgage  for  ninety-nine  years.  His  op- 
ponent won;  the  deed  was  soon  after  executed,  and  he. lost 
bis  i'lrm.  Disgusted  with  human  society  he  suddenly  diaap- 
pe.ir.id,  came  to  the  then  wilderness  of  Maine,  where  he  vowed 
he  would  spend  his  days  as  a  hunter. 

From  the  different  reports  we  have  heard  from  the  lips  of  old 
settlers  at  sundry  times,  we  incline  to  the  opinion  that  the 
principal  cause  of  his  oddity  is  to  be  ascribed  to  tha  infidelity 
of  one  who  had  plighted  to  him  her  vows.  It  waa  also  said 
that  he  had  a  daughter  in  New  Hampshire  to  whom  ha 
contrived  to  remit  mo:'.'>y  occa^ioually. 

Whenever  he  vi-ited  the  settlement  he  used  to  sit  down  with 
the  settlers  around  their  tireside  and  make  himself  sociable. 
For  food  his  preference  used  to  ba  gruel  or  pudding  and  milk, 
wlilch  he  generally  called  for  when  he  asked  for  enteuainmenS 
There  arii  many  i-nts  told  about  him,  a  few  of  which  wa 
will  here  relate.  One  day  while  in  the  vicinity  of  Them, 
aston,  Davis  saw  a  moose  which  wai  entrapped  by  a  line 


52  SKETCHES  OF  THE  -  a?  ' 

anare.  On  firing  at  him  the  bullet  severed  the  line  and  oft 
ran  ths  UiO0>e.  The  settlers  of  Belfast  used  to  *■  thorn"  him 
about  it.  Vv'hen  he  -would  retort,  that  if  thc'v  h.i/l  th&v  "de:^erts 
t\v-y  ~_ ?.[[  Lave  haiter^j  about  their  necks!**  He  had  a 
j-cjcui:  -.r  •'■fi'.ie  to  some  rf  the  Bel!a*ters,  and  wlien  ha  used 
to  go  there  to  sell  moose  meat  and  could  not  dispose  of  it,  he 
usei  to  point  to  the  river  and  exclaim,  signilicantly, — Ye3 
there's  b-^ri-iir-  in  the  Bay!"  TVith  the  setiu-rs Camden 
he  T?as  g-jneraily  on  ^ood  te^rms.  Kis  likes  and  d'slikes  were 
of:en  ,-overned  by  th  j  cbiidish  caprices,  as  we  mi^ht 

cite  circumstances  to  prove.  Wkl^al.  he  vras  very  superstiiious 
sls  many  of  his  action  betokened,  one  of  •»vhicu  wa-;  his  bowing 
■p,:a  zr-.i:  reverence  at  ilie  ■  iiit  of  bread.  L\  many  iti^taneP3 
he  used  ro  coin  words  to  de-cribe  his  ideas  with.  One  niglit 
he  shekered  himself  beneath  a  wlnd-failt-n  tree,  w!,en  a 
moose  c.^e  aiono:  browsing  over  him;  turning  around,  he 
fire  i  at  the  inrruder  and  broke  his  leg.  The  last  he  heard  of 
him  he  said     he  was  running  od"  with  a  A't  ^•harhiUinq  noise." 

He  continued  to  lead  the  life  of  a  hunter  for  about  forty 
years,  when  iie  went  and  lived  with  his  daughter,  who  had 
married  a  iMr.  Partridge,  who  lived  on  a  farm  on  the  banks 
of  fi.e  "  :;Grn,  or  Penobs'jot  river,  where  he  spent  his  de- 
clir.ini:  years.  He  attained  the  a^re  of  an  octoiienarian,  and 
died  a;:  ti-e  kom )  of  his  son-in-Iavv,  as  we  have  been  informed 
by  one  w;:o  vi  him  while  there.  The  writer  beibre  alluded 
to  says  i.e  di'r.I  a  pxuper,  but  our  aged  authority  akirnii  the 
opinion  we  i.e.  e  :^pr  ssed  above. 

From  lb 3  or!  'o.u  ..vitiHcl  we  have  gathered  rcLitir.g  to  this 
*'  Leatlierirockin.-  "  of  the  wilderness,  we  might  lengtaea  this 
sketch,  \  .v.  !  J"  a  uu-ther  a"coani:  we  wouid  r-f  :r  the  reader 
to  Laio.r.;  Aunais  of  Warren,  p^fe  -o^,  and  to  our  Sketches 
of  the  Lirly  History  of  Behiist,  No.  7. 


HI8X0AY  OP  CAMDEK. 


53 


The  flr;:  death  in  Camd  jn— Emigration  a^'ain  fio;vs  Ea^tv/arcl— A  schame 


for  o^!tainin.:r  Settlers— T'ie  i^iun  ao^iitcl  j '  iuduce- 
.xaents  of^red  to  settle  in  C?nv;evi— iNamt?  rr"  '  i;  n-;:o  -  ...I  said 
conditions— S-ir.!'!  A -;Mrtoa  jTil  :''T:ri  Uo-r\\::V  .  i'.'.;?he;ors' 

Ledge — AV;  ..r  'i  '-^i  -jj  1  :-:v^%-\  ;-vn— j; -lurns  to  Bo;t v;.n  a:;iu  dies  a 
millionaire— i.o-;j.;cr  .  vitM^r-Ir.  t.  rtoki  — Krfectr  ^  (_i;tisi — Fol- 
ioxred  by  Hcd^rnan  nnd  s!         A    it  of  ^- 1.-,:.::,':  :  ,  ?i-!:er5, 

Russeii  and  Sartelle  loliow— Tl-e  hridlo  r;.;^'— 1'~ '  i;- incident 
— Wm.  iioh.-neiiux.  Esq.,  purchases  lands  — .if:*:!  .  —lii-^  noble 

tlesceiit—i  he  society  in  wiuc;alie  movo'l— A.  :.u;lt  — i  . .  c  of  nature — 


Hi3  place  describea— His  Waltonian  inclinuiiuDi— Lraits  of  character iilus- 
trated— Modern  excursionists—Anecdote— !<l.'s  niarrin.::^e— His  history  in- 
T€siigured— His  death— A  rc-iaark. 


DURING  the  Revolution,  a  number  oi"  oar  settlers  re- 
t'lrned  to  the  places  whence  they  came.    Aix^ong  them 
V7-1.S  BiUard,  and  GimmanS;  who  went  to  Boston,  and 
a  lew  c  'i^jrs,  whose  names  ^e  cannot  give. 

Soon  aif.^r  the  ■^ar,  one  of  the  early  sett' era,  Philip  Hilt, 
was  drowned  in  Canaan  Pond,  -which,  we  think,  was  the  first 
death  thit  occurred  in  the  settlement. 

After  peace  was  restored,  the  tide  of  emigration,  which  had 
been  checkerl  by  the  war,  beq-tn  now  a^^ain  to  flow  eastward. 
For  the  purpose  o'' obtainino:  occupants  for  their  Imd:-,  the 
Twenty  A;5o  .-iite?,  or  Lincoin.shire  Cotnpany,  as  tbcy  were 
sometimes  called,  m;»dc  an  agreement  ibr  th.eir  procurement, 
with  Charies  Birreit,  of  Xew  Ipswich,  N.  H.    TLo  present 

'  Dr  3Iosea  Dakin  informs  u?  that  the  name  of  Hope  cri,.f)mted  as  fol- 
]ox_:  t'^'i  to-;vn-]>;p  vv-;>^  tiT'-t  ^urveyoa.— .) ;:me^  ^i.iico'C,  Erq., 

K.  —  -\';  !--Tr i-n-js  yi  :t  wore  de-igiirited  by  f'O  ivtr-r^  ii  O  JP  E. 
-  >  -■         ■  .  ,      "  ..:  ;  ,  ■.■rated 

-    .      ■  .   .        •    ;    ■  ■  ^'''^  iJ'j.'.  to  the 

The  ■Xi.j.i^,  z\.:i  ■  .-uiid  00 m  \a  il'.j'C  i -  tv  *j>i  .^am  i  iicwit;,  who 
now  rt-i'i^B  in  it  jCKlatid  • 


54  *XSTCH8.«  OP  THU 

town  of  Hope  was  divided  into  120  lots  of  1*^0  acres  each. 
Barrett  was  to  build  a  meeting  houiie  and  school  house,  and 
obtain  40  settlers,  aud  to  have  SO  lots  out  of  the  120,  thus 
leaving  the  Lincolnshire  Company  40  shares.  He  gave  said 
township  the  name  of  Barrettstown,  which  it  re[:ained  until  it 
was  incorporated  in  1804,  when  it  received  the  name  of  Hope.* 
The  western  part  of  Camden^  cai)ae  under  the  same  apportion- 
ment as  Barrettstown.  The  inducements  olTeied  by  Barrett 
were  the?e  :  Every  settler  was  given  100  acres  out  of  the  160 
for  settling  cn  said  lots,  and  it  was  left  as  optional  with  them  to 
purchase  the  remaining  'lO  acre?.  To  cniiure  the  improvement 
of  these  lands,  there  was  a  proviso  inserted  in  the  deeds,  to  the 
effect  that  if  each  settler  did  not  clear  up  three  acres,  he  should 
forfeit  his  claim. 

Among  those  who  availed  themselves  of  these  inducements 
and  settled  in  Hope  and  the  tacLc  (or  western)  part  of  Cam- 
den, were  the  Saffords.  Philbncks,  Barretts,  Mansfields,  Hodg- 
mans,  Russels,  Hosraers  and  Appleton.  We  will  notice  a  few 
of  these  names  more  specifically.  Samuel  Appleton  of  Boston, 
came  here  about  the  year  ir>ri  or  '86,  in  company  with  several 
of  the  above  tht-n  young  men;  among  wh(im  was  Nathl  Hosmer 
of  Mason,  N.  H.,  and  made  a  clearing  on  the  now  Elislia  IMani- 
field  place,  where  he  erected  a  log  hut.  Araong  those  who 
shared  the  room  of  Appleton's  cabin,  we  tliink.  vrn,>  N,  Hosmer, 
and  several  others,  who  thus  lived  in  common  i;ntil  they  cleared 
their  respective  lots.  A  IMiss  Chloe  Robbins.  who  came  irom 
Union,  kei't  hou>e  for  them,  and  thus  their  cookim.'.  washing,  and 
household  duties  were  attended  to.  Appleton  after  residing 
here  about  a  year,  went  to  Barrettstown.  or  Ho[  '',  and  took  up 
a  claim  where  Thomas  Perry  now  lives.  Ai'ter  rtilding  there 
about  two  years  he  beeamc  uissatisded.  and  rtturne*!  to  Boston. 
As  ii  Well  known,  be  afterwards  roic  to  eminen!  <  as  a  merchant, 
and  died  a  millionaire.  The  town  of  Appleton  derived  its  name 
from  him. 

N-ithanit-l  n^smer  whoa  he  came  with  Appletor).  had  put  25 
cents  left  after  defraying  his  expenses  m  g«jiiing  !n_  re:  so  tu  him 
it  w-ii  like  <.-ouuaeucing  anew  in  the  world.  Aih-r  ■■.:;.aining  in 
company^  with  Appleton  a  short  time,  he  hbred  oiit  with  a  Mr. 


HI?TOfllL   Of  CAMDF.X.  55 

Brooks  who  o\vTie(l  a  lot  of  land  near  whf  Jaiiit-^  Carle  now 
lives.  They  boarded  -with  widow  Hilt,  (whoso  hnsbaud  was 
drowned  as  beloro  remarked.)  who  lived  on  the  old  Ililt  tarm 
in  the  edge  of  Hope. 

Ai  before  stated,  Ilosmcr  had  accepted  of  the  oirer  of  one 
hundred  acres  made  by  Barrett,  which  ho  located  on  t'le  place 
he  afterwards  occupied. — where  lii*  son,  George  ITosnior,  now 
lives.  HiS  erected  a  cabin  near  the  Pond  in  front  of  tlic  present 
Ho'^mer  homestead,  and  in  the  ensuing  fall  he  vi^ired  hi?  home 
in  New  Hampihire.  The  foliowin<^  s^pring  lie  returned  to  Cam- 
den, accompanied  by  hi»  »;I.>ter  Auiiie,  and  Job  Hodgman. 
Hodgnian  worked  on  the  pla''e,  and  Annie  act*;d  a:^  hoiunkeeper. 
Hxigman  alt^jrward^  married  Annie.  The  same  summer 
Ho.-mer  erected  a  frame  house,  situated  about  twenty  rods  west 
of  the  present  homestead. 

Having  thus  obtained  comfortable  quarters,  he  started  for 
New  Hampshire  again,  where  he  went  to  claim  the  hand  ol  one 
to  whom  he  wa5  affianced.  Her  parents  were  strongly  opposed 
to  the  match.  On  a  pretext,  she  viiiited  a  nein^hbori ;  there 
prepared  for  the  flight :  ioon  after  lied  on  boanl  the  vessel,  and 
with  her  fjture  protector,  was  in  a  few  days  the  mistress  of  the 
home  he  had  prepared  for  her  in  the  wilderness.  Her  maiden 
name  was  ]Marv-  Blodgett.  *  Soon  after,  iMr.  Hosmer's  brother 
Aia,,  and  his  two  other  sisters  followed  him.  Samuel  Russell 
and  John  Sartelle,  came  immediately  after,  and  manying  the 
above  siiters,  Eunice  and  Tabatha,  settled  in  that  vicinity. 

At  this  time  the  road  that  led  to  the  harbor  v.';is  simply  a 
bridle  path,  and  crossed  over  by  Molyneaux's,  and  thence  to  the 
foot  of  Megunticook  stream.  At  one  time  ^Ii-s,  Hodirman  wa* 
returning  from  the  harbor,  when  night  overtook  her.  Fastening 
her  horse  she  laid  down  among  the  bru.sli  and  leaves,  and  slept 
soundly  till  morning,  when  *ha  arose  and  pursued  her  war 
home. 

•  In  tha  Camden  Adrertiter  of  Jan.  ;J0,  l.^'li,  ?a  newspaper  then  published 
here,,  will  be  fouad  a  taU  eatiWod  ••  Tr'jth  Strangtr  than  Fiction/"— 
written  by  '•■Frank,-'  ia  which  the  details  of  said  amour  are  given,  but 
under  lietitioui  names,  A\  j \t  iitteeu  years  aftt;r  the  evMit,  the  heroin* 
of  the  story  die*!,  and  Nancy  Fay  becaiOie  Uo«mer'3  second  wi:e.'and  now 
■^urvivM  txixa. 

5 


5<>  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Bears,  at  this  time,  were  more  numerous  in  this  vicinity  than 
at  the  harbor,  and  were  often  very  bold  in  their  predal  excur- 
tions,  and  were  trcquentlv  seen  near  the  houses.  An  instance 
ii  not«d  where  Mr.  Hosmer  was  one  day  returning  from  a 
neighbor's,  and  as  he  neared  hii  barnyard  he  heard  the  lowing 
of  the  catrle.  when  presently  a  bear  rushed  from  the  enclosure, 
Waring  a  calf  in  his  mouth.  i3ofore  a  gun  could  be  obtained, 
bruin  with  his  proy  wa.-?  out  of  sight  and  beyond  reach. 

About  the  year  1786,  "VVni.  Molyneaux,  Esq.,  of  Boston, 
hanng  purchased  of  the  Lincolnshire  Company  the  whole  of 
Bcauchamp  Neck,  and  other  parcels  of  land  at  the  Harbor, 
together  with  the  land  at  the  foot  of  Canaan  Pond,  erected 
two  mills,  a  grist  and  saw  mill,  on  the  stream  at  the  egress  of 
the  pond.  Thii  lakelet  is  still  known  among  our  older  citizens 
under  the  name  then  given  it—- Mol^-ncaux's  Pond.  Sir.  I\IoIy- 
neaux  did  not  settle  here  permanently  uotii  a  number  of  years 
afterwards,  but  he  used  to  frequently  come  down  from  Boston 
to  attend  to  his  business,  and  make  excursions  in  fishing  and 
hunting.  He  was  said  to  have  been  of  noble  ancestry, — of  the 
Huguenot  stock, — and  his  parents  were  of  those  who  left  their 
fatherland  for  opinions'  sake.  Bom  in  America,  of  wealthy 
parents.  31ol}TLeaux  inherited  largely  those  traits  of  character 
and  quahries  of  mind  peculiar  to  the  French  people,  to  which 
was  added  a  polished  education.  Thia  combination  of  qualitr 
gave  liira  the  manners  and  refined  taite  of  a  gentleman." 
Possessed  of  these  courtly  accomplishments,  he  moved  freely  in 
the  society  of  the  elite  of  his  day,  and  was  the  companion  and 
guest  of  some  of  the  leading  men  of  the  Revolution,  and  of  the 
aristocracy  of  New  England.  However,  he  did  not  approach 
the  standard  that  constitutes  the  be'iu  ulecd  of  a  gentleman,  as 
Cdrrain  detbcis  and  obU(iuities  in  his  ehara^^ter  materially  marre-d 
it  in  several  respectJ.  Being  verj'  quick  and  impulsive  in  hi3 
disposition,  e-pecially  when  under  the  influence  of  exciting 
drink, — in  which  he  occasionally  indulged  to  excess — he  would 
sometimes  in  hi-;  intcixo.irjc  with  his  fellows,  use  indiscreet 
languaizc  and  a- 1  "with "such  impropriety  ai>  to  end  the  afTair 
with  deep  regret.  Bu'-  would  not  dweii  here,  for  judged 
by  the  lives  of  celebrated  cotemporaries,  who  often  conformed 


HISTORY  0?  CAMDEX.  ,  57 

to  the  customs  of  those  times,  his  excesses  would  be  greatly 
palliated.  A  host  of  such  names  occurs  to  the  mind  of  the 
intelligent  reader,  and  we  would  let  him  pa;>s  with  the  crowd, 
appreciated  for  his  merits,  and  not  detested  for  his  occajiouai 
obliquities  of  conduct. 

Possessing  a  love  for  nature  in  her  most  romantic  aspects, 
H  is  not  a  marvel  that  he  selected  the  wild  and  rugged  yet 
sublime  spot  for  his  residence  which  he  did,  at  the  foot  Oj* 
^Ncgunticook  *  Pon^l.  The  exquisite  beauty  of  the  locality  is 
appreciated  by  every  enthusiastic  lover  of  nature,  and  by  die 
excursionist  it  will  ever  be  regarded  as  a  charining  place  of 
resort.  In  front  of  his  house  at  the  outlet  of  the  pond,  (or 
lakelet,)  is  a  Ixij^h  elevation  of  land,  ^vLiLh  divides  the  course 
of  Megunticook  stream,  and  is  thus  made  an  island.  From 
the  rocky  sununit  of  this  cliify  island  can  be  had  a  lino  view 
of  the  lakelet  and  the  meandering  stream  below,  as  well  aj 
of  the  surrounding  picturesque  scenery.  Surrounded  by  such 
a  combmation  of  romantic  rural  charmi,  it  was  but  natural 
mat  Molyneaux  shoidd  not  only  become  an  admirer  but  a 
dl->'Jp'e  ci  good  old  I^aak  ^\'alton.  The  angling  rod  and 
tbwliag  piece  were  his  principal  sources  of  diversion,  and  for 
divs  at  a  time  he  wotdd  indulge  in  the  sports  derived  from 
tticm.  A  young  lad,  (now  the  venerable  iiobt.  Thorndlke,) 
who  Ujed  irec|uentiy  to  accompany  Moiyneaux  on  his  huuting 
and  piscatory  rambles,  remark j  on  the  gentlemanly  deference 
with  which  he  always  addressed  him,  by  prciixing  to  his  name 
the  title  of  Master.  On  all  occasions  he  was  thus  punctiiioua 
in  the  observance  of  the  smallest  courtesies  of  life,  and  oq  his 
e.xcursions  of  pleasure  he  never  forgot  the  dignity  of  a  gentle- 
man. At  the  same  time,  however,  he  was  ab-vays  social  and 
comparJ.jnable,  but  not  ,  unduly  familiar.     Accompanied  by 

Master  "  Thorndike,  he  used  to  follow  tlvc  stream,  or  sail  ou 
the  bkelet  in  his  birch  canoe,  in  quest  of  the  hnay  tribes, 
"And  angle  ou." 

*  Cu'j-t-n  rv.n  !  i-  ^'  t."  .c-d'^  rwp  (•>!' Camden  c  i? is  it,)  is  called  hy 
tlie  narut)  of  Nezrtn.-.:  :  l'',nd  on  an  old  chart  of  Camden  we  iiave 
exuiaiceJ.  Sjcii  vv:ir  ...j  ;.a:.ic  it  w^nt  by  at  the  tun-.-  alluded  to,  but  i 
al'tervvardi  touk  the  r.riine  ol"  Molyueaux'a,  Q«xt  C;tiaau.  and  lastly  the 
name  of  LiucolavUle  Foud 


58  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

We  have  sailed  and  angled  tliere,  and  know  somewhat  of  the 
euchantiuent  of  the  place.  To  this  day,  Neguuticook  lake  and 
stream  h:\3  been  a  favorite  place  of  resort  for  ''the  brethren  of 
the  rod  and  line."  and  Waltonian  Asoociaiions  annually  spend 
we.jks  thl-re  to  indul-e  in  the  diveriiou  of  tiieir  "illustrious 
predecessor," — Molyneauz. 

Charavteristic  of  Moh-neaux.  the  following  anecdote  may  be 
rel:<.:e'l :  Ac  ou^^  time  wLiie  a  man  named  btack])ole  was  at 
work  for  him,  he  intentionally  disobeyed  ^L's  commands  in 
several  instances,  and  as  he  knew  it  irritated  him  he  again 
repeated  the  act,  when  Molyneaux  stepped  into  tlie  house,  got 
his  gun,  a;id  loadmg  it  rjsued  towards  S.,  (who  was  of  a  fearless 
dispo;".ii':>n.)  and  presented  the  gun  at  hiia,  when  S.  deriantly 
laid  bare  his  breast  and  dared  him  to  execute  his  menace. 
Fin'iing  the  ruse  would  not  accomplish  the  design  of  intim- 
idating Jiim,  M.  aliouldcred  his  gun,  and  with  a  signiticant 
look,  replied,  "Lucky  there  w*ire  not  a  tl<X'k  of  such  scamps; 
if  there  were,  I  would  shoot  one  for  an  example  for  the  rest !" 

^lohTiCaux.  did  not  permanently  locate  here  until  the  year 
l~'Ji,  at  about  whi.;h  time  he  married,  and  brought  his  wife 
with  hhn.  As  to  what  business  he  was  engaged  in  previous  to 
coming  here  we  are  not  advised.  We  find  in  the  Boston 
Gazere  and  Ccunt>j  Jo ur nai  ot'  3 s.n.  8,  1781,  an  advertisement 
of  Vi'.  k  J.  Z\IoIyneaux,  who  kept  a  store  on  State  Stretjt  and 
dealt  in  -  English  and  India  Goodsr'  We  know  that  Moly- 
neaux liad  a  brotlier  John  in  Boston,  where  ha  frequently 
used  to  visit,  and  we  are  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  the  above 
partners •■.ip  was  between  them.  We  also  hnd  in  Lh'ake's  His- 
ton.-  an  1  Antii^uities  of  Bu^tun,  (p.  b57.)  the  name  of  Wm- 
Molyneaux  siuTied  tu  a  meruorial  dafed  Dec.  li),  17GU.  as  being 
one  ot  rh-  ••principal  business  men  of  Boston."  This  name 
occurrs  in  DraJce's  lii-tory  on  several  important  occasions  and 
is  often  rs^ociatcd  with  sucli  names  as  John  Hancock,  Samuel 
Adams,  and  dames  Utis.  In  convening  with  iMr.  Drake  a  few 
montliS  s'hce  in  rel.ui'ju  to  the  name  thus  nientioued  l»y  him 
in  his  History,  he  w;u  of  the  opinion,  or  it  was  his  impres- 
sion, that:  he  was  engiiiied  in  ttie  copDtr'^LiUih  business.  From 
allusions  lu  his  Ili^fc.ry  ot'  a  ^uf^e^ucnt  Uiitc  (on  p.  752)  wc  are 


I 

\ 

I-' 


I 

I 
I 


HISTORY  or  CAMDEN.      "  ')■■* 

convinced  that  it  could  not  be  our  Mol}iieaux.  The  proba- 
bility is  in  favor  oi  the  merchant  we  have  mentioned,  as  col- 
lateral circumstances  would  seem  to  indicate. 

Ai  some  have  i5uppo<ed  that  our  Mohmeaux  was  the  oua 
mentioned  in  history"  as  being  an  intimate  triend  of  J;imes 
0:ii,  and  as  but  little  is  known  a»  toucliing  the  life  of  tlils 
peculiar  man.  and  as  we  deem  it  worthy  of  a  more  than  u^ual 
notice,  we  have  thought  it  proper  thus  to  dwell  upon  and  in- 
vestigate the  facts  of  the  case. 

About  the  year  IS 00,  while  Moh'neaux  was  in  his  canoe 
with  a  young  man  fishing  on  the  pond  in  sight  of  his  house, 
the  canoe  capsized  and  he  was  drowned,  but  the  young  man 
wad  saved  by  ewimming  ashore.  ^Molyneaux  v/as  a  good  swim, 
mcr,  but  it  was  supposed  that  his  unfortunate  habit  had  gained 
the  ascendancy  over  his  strength,  and  thus  incapacitated  him 
to  put  forth  proper  exertion  to  save  himself  His  hat  fitting 
tightly  on  his  head  thus  buoyed  him  from  sinking,  and  was  the 
means  of  finding  his  body. 

Were  we  to  judge  of  the  character  of  Mohmeaux  simply 
by  the  company  he  kept,  the  style  in  which  he  lived,  and  by 
those  he  used  to  frequently  entertjun  as  guests  and  be  enter- 
tained by  in  return,  we  should  accord  to  inni  the  title  of  a 
gentleman,  as  his  surviving  acquaintances  and  friends  ail  con- 
t<;nd  that  he  well  merited  the  distinction. 


60r 


'KETCHES  OF  THE 


The  Mrst  trader— His  begiciiing— Hi3  partner— Di-'sohition  of  partner 
ship— L>cr.:;en  removes  to  the  Harbor— His  brother— Dergen  returns  to 
Irelaud— Liis  succo.'sor— First  physiaiaii— ^Tames  ot  piaces~Megu:iticcck 
— Mecai'ducket— A  tradition— Speculative  thoughts— Signification  of  In- 
dian nataes— rroauuication — lit.  Batty — Mogunticook  mountain — Chiek- 
evrakie— [Note,  on  Indian  name-]— The  first  road  laid  out— [IS'ote:  Origin 
of  the  Laoie  of  Duoktrap]— Deuth  of  a  traveler.  - 


rr^iO  introduce  to  the  reader  the  first  trader  who  kept  store 


in  town,  'we  will  revert  to  the  year  1783.    During  the 


above  year  an  Irish  sailor  by  the  name  of  John  Der^en 
was  c.^.st  away  upon  the  island  of  Crrand  Manan,  and  being 
badly  *rost-bitten,  lost  the  most  ot  his  toes,  and  was  thus  made 
lame  for  life.  Bein;^  thus  disabled  from  following  his  vocation, 
he  turned  his  attention  to  obtaining  a  liveiihoc.d  upon  the  land. 
Proceeding  to  Boston  in  quest  of  employment,  he  fell  in  with 

one  o*^  iiis  countrymen  named  Ward,  when  a  plan  was 

furmc!  between  them  of  turning  what  little  etfects  they  had 
into  tioney  and  investing  the  same  in  goods,  for  the  purpose 
of  trying  their  luck  in  traificking.  With  a  sniaii  stock  of  goods 
they  embarked  in  a  vessel  from  Boston  bound  for  Goose  lliver. 
Because  of  Dergen's  lameness  it  was  agreed  that  Ward  should 
travel  about  the  country  on  foot  as  a  pack-pedd!ar,  while 
Dergen  should  remain  at  Goose  River  in  the  ^tore  ;  which  was 
in  the  unfinished  framed  house  oi'  Kobt.  Thcrnuike.  In  about 
nine  n^onths  the  p:irtr.ersh!p  was  dissolved,  wiien  "Ward  went  to 
Bo»ton,  *  and  Dt-rgen  moved  to  the  Harbor,  v^iiere  a  store  was 
fitted  up  for  him  by  Jas.  Richards  on  the  site  where  Caleb 
Thomas'  store  stands.  His  stock  consisted  of  such  goods  as  are 
generally  found  in  a  countr}"  variety  store.  After  trading  here 
for  seven  or  eighc  }  ':'■:■;,    :  .i.^nt  for  his  broth^T  i'\  Ireland  to 

•  Ward  became  a  Iruit  dt.-uii;r  lu  Boston,  and  in  iT&'j  vv-ae  the  owner 
of  hii  stort,  and  aiUrwardi  became  wealthy. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN  61 

come  over  and  join  him.  The  vessel  in  which  his  brother 
embarked  was  lost,  and  he  perished.  After  remaining  here 
two  rears  after  this  sad  event,  and  feeling  himself  to  be  alone 
in  the  world,  and  being  stiil  a  single  man,  and  having  acquired 
a  handsome  pronerfy,  he  concluded  to  return  to  his  native 
countrv. 

Dergen  was  succeeded  by  Benjamin,  and  Joseph  Gushing. 
On  nearly  the  same  site,  Belcher  Sylvester  subsequently  erected 
the  building  now  used  by  Sewall  Conant  as  a  paint-shop. 

The  first  physician  in  town  was  Dr.  Isaac  Barnard,  who  came 
here  in  about  the  year  1787.  He  married  a  Miss  Tollman, 
and  afrer  living  at  the  harbor  five  or  six  years,  here  moved  to 
the  river,  lie  afterwards  shifred  his  quarters  to  difierent 
places,  continuing  but  a  short  time  in  the  same  town. 

Before  approaching  thatime  of  the  incorporation  of  the  town, 
we  will  glance  at  the  various  names  that  have  been  applied  to 
the  ditierent  localities,  &c.,  in  and  about  Camden.  We  have 
deemed  it  proper,  though  seemingly  out  of  place  at  this  period 
of  our  Sketches,  to  reserve  for  one  number,  our  remarks  upon 
th'.i  subject. 

The  name  of  Megunticook  first  demands  our  notice.  As 
beiore  remarked,  (in  No.  lY.)  the  place  now  designated  as  the 
iJ.ir:x»r,  or  Camden  proper,  was  known  at  the  time  the  early 
so'.'lers  came  here,  by  the  name  of  Negunticook,  (as  it  is  written 
on  the  oldest  charts,  and  records  now  before  us,)  or  Megunti- 
cook, as  it  is  now  written.  We  have  shown  that  at  an  earlier 
period  the  name  of  Mecaddacut  was  applied  to  the  same  locality. 
The  appellation  of  Mecaddacut  appears  to  have  been  bestowed 
by  the  Wawenocks,  while  that  of  Megunticook  was  given  it  by 
the  Tarratines.  The  former  tribe  was  suppylanted  by  the  latter, 
which  fact  may  account  for  the  change  in  the  name.  There 
is  an  int»3re?ting  legend  relating  to  the  origin  of  dilierent  Indian 
names  in  this  vicinity,  which  is  worth  repeating  in  this  place. 
A.S  we  find  li:  well  told  in  Sibley's  History  of  Union,  p.  4,  we 
give  it  in  his  word.i :  "  There  is  a  tradition  that  several  Indiana 
came  trom  the  East  on  a  hunting  and  fishing  excursion.  At  the 
harbor  in  Lincoinville  they  caught  some  ducks,  and  called  the 
place  Duck  Trap.    They  proceeded  with  their  ducks  to  Cam- 


62 


SKETCHES  OP  THE 


den,  -which  they  called  Me-gun-ti-cook,  because  there  they 
began  to  cook  them.  On  arriving  at  Friendship,  they  broke 
their  cooking  pot,  and  called  the  place  Me-dun-cook.  Pro- 
ceeding up  the  St.  George's,  they  came  to  Sucnybec  Pond, 
which  they  named  Sunny-bake,  because  they  were  obliged  to 
cook  their  n?h  and  food  in  the  sun  on  the  rocks."'  This  does 
very  well  for  a  fable,  and  as  such  we  wili  let  it  pass,  without 
further  comment. 

In  an  article  on  the  definition  of  Indian  names  in  the  Mass. 
Hist.  Soc.  Collections  IV.,  p.  106,  a  writer  locates  Meeaddacut 
down  by  Owl's  Head,  as  does  also  Williamson,  in  his  History 
of  Maine,  vol.  i.  p.  95.  But,  on  Smith's  map,  *  which  was  tirst 
published  in  161G,  it  is  located  on  the  site  now  occupied  by 
Camden,  as  may  also  be  seen  by  recurring  to  his  *'  Generall 
Historie  of  Virginia  and  the  Summer  Isles,"  page  205,  ed. 
of  1626.  It  appears  evident,  however,  that  the  name  at  times 
was  applied  indiscriminately  to  the  region  between  Camden 
and  Owl's  Head.  Mr.  Sibley,  f  in  speaking  of  this  subject, 
says  "  Bedabedee  may  have  designated  the  coast,  and  included 
the  Penobscot  Hills,  and  Owl's  Head.  When  it  is  considered 
that  Indians,  giving  to  the  consonants  a  soft  or  obscure  sound, 
do  not  enunciate  them  distinctly,  that  Smith  gives  the  name  as 
it  sounded  to  his  English  ears,  and  Champlain  as  it  sounded  to 
the  French,  it  is  not  improbable  that  Bedabedee  and  Medam- 
baitee,  and  Meeaddacut  are  meant  to  represent  the  same 
Indian  word."  Basing  our  opinion  upon  Smith's  representation 
as  alluded  to  above,  and  the  quotation  we  have  given  in  article 
No.  H.,  we  take  it  for  granted  that  Meeaddacut  was  the  name 
of  the  locality  ot  Camden  at  the  time  represented. 

In  the  article  before  alluded  to  in  the  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  iv., 
p.  106,  the  defiaition  of  Megunitcook  is  given  as  meaning 
Harye  oa'j:'  la  speaking  on  the  terminal  syllable  in  this  word, 
the  late  David  Crockett,  of  Rockland,  who  had  acquired  a 
good  knowledge  of  the  language  of  the  Penobscot  Indians,  says 
that^ "  cook  i3  a  compound  word,  and  means  haven  or  harbor  ; 


^  amitii'a  map  wul  aiao  be  fuuad  ia  tUs  Masa.  Hit?.  Coll.,  vol.  iii.,  3d 
•eriea. 

t  Hist,  of  UalgD;  p.  a. 


HI3T0RY  OF  CAMDEX,  63 

and  the  other  part  of  the  compound  word  designates  something 
which  is  distinctive  in  the  harbor.^'  *  Eaton  in  his  Annals  of 
Warren,  p.  134,  says  that  Megunticook  signifies  great  sivelU 
of  the  sea."  Frances  ISogabason,  an  Old  Tov^n  Indian,  gives 
the  same  definition,  as  does  also  Sogabason  Neptune.  Other 
authorities  might  be  cited,  but  these  are  sutiicient  to  estabhsh 
the  meaning  of  the  word.  The  name  is  very  applicabiy  given 
to  our  harbor,  fov  during  a  storm  the  "  great  swells  of  the  sea  " 
are  an  object  of  remark.  The  name  is  also  applied  to  the 
stream  and  one  of  the  mountains,  and  in  former  years  (a  before 
shoT7n)  Lincolnvilie,  or  Canaan  Fond,  went  by  the  same 
appellation.  From  a  statement  made  by  Lewis  Ogier  a  unm- 
bor  of  years  ago,  embodied  in  a  short  sketch  now  before  us,  we 
learn  that  the  name  was  sometimes  pronounced  Mar-tac-a-ma- 
coc;e,  and  is  thus  spelled.  James  Thcrndike  says  that  the 
first  settlers  and  Indians  as  far  back  as  his  memorv-  goes,  used 
to  pronounce  it  Netuc-hama-coose.  Sogabason  Neptune  pro- 
nouncos  it  Me-gun-tar-cook — accent  on  the  third  syllable. 

Mount  Batty,  f  the  nearest  mountain  to  the  Harbor  Yitiage, — 
bein^  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  from  the  Post  OiMce, — 
derived  its  name  I'rom  Betsey  Richards,  wife  of  James  Richards, 
the  pioneer  settler.  She  always  used  to  call  it  her  mountain, 
to  designate  it  from  the  others,  and  thug  the  early  settlers  used 
to  call  it  Batiy's  mountain,  or  Mt.  Batty,  which  name  it  still 
retains,  t  As  Wm.  McGlathry  once  owned  a  principal  part  ot 
this  mountain,  some  old  persons  still  call  it  by  the  name  of 
McGlathry's,  which  is  superseded  by  the  name  before  men- 
tioned. 

Mount  Meguntlcook,  north  of,  and  adjoining  Mt.  B^^tty,  is 
sometimes  called  the  Diilinghaua  mountain,  as  Dillingham  used 
to  reside  near  the  base  of  it.  ^  Of  the  other  mountains,  we 
shall  speak  in  another  place. 

The  name  of  Chickawakie  has  but  recently  been  bestowed 

•Hiit.  of  Union,  p.  4,  nots. 

t  i;r.  Jacki:v!!,  in  \  li  U-jj.ort  on  tlie  Geoii^^y  of  ilaiiiti,  p.  o>>,  i^ives  the 
bei^'-bt  of  Ht.  Jbutty      1^  l«et. 

♦  Thus  d-si;?na!.ed  ;n  Will.  Hut.  Maine,  i.,  p.  05,  and  ii.,  p.  Sol. 

f  I>r.  Jack8ca,(ibid.)  gives  the  belgbtofMt.  iieijuiiticoQlc  as  Uo7  feet. 


64  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

upon  Tolman's  Pond,  and  is  said  to  signify.'  in  the  Indian 
language,  sweet  water."  The  oldest  Indians  with  whom  we 
have  conversed,  are  ignorant  of  the  name,  which  was  given, 
we  believe,  by  certain  cirlzens  of  Ro<:kland.  *  These  are  the 
only  names  we  think  of,  that  demand  a  notice  at  this  time  ; 
others  will  be  alluded  to  hereafter. 

Up  to  the  year  1790  there  was  not  a  passable  road  in  the 
plantation  of  Camden  of  the  ^.-ngth  of  three  miles.  There 
had  been  a  foot  path  extending  trom  St  George  to  Sandy 
Point,  (in  Prospect)  which  was  first  indicated  by  spotted 
trees, — but  there  was  no  road  wliich  could  be  traveled  a  series 
of  mlLc-s  in  any  vehicle.  Travelling  was  principally  performed 
on  foot,  and  after  a  bri^lle  path  was  worn  suilicienily  for  the 
purpose,  short  journeys  were  made  on  horseback.  On  the  10th 
of  No\.,  1 790,  a  road  was  laid  out  extending  from  Thomaston 
(Ilockland)  to  Camden  Harbor,  and  thence  to  Little  Duck- 
trap  it  appears,  however,  not  to  have  been  completed  until 
1797.  We  believe  the  road  above  Little  Ducktrap  f  was 
completed  about  the  same  time.  This  was  the  first  road  in 
Camden  of  vvhich  we  have  any  account. 

At  the  time  when  the  roads  were  traced  by  spotted  trees, 
the  following  sad  event  occurred :  A  stranger,  in  traveling 
towar-is  Ducktrap  during  one  of  the  winter  months,  halted  at 
the  house  of  F.obt.  Thomdike,  where  he  took  supper.  His 


*  Wbi'.e  speaking  of  Indian  names,  we  will  here  put  upon  record  a  lew 
names  which  we  obtained  from  So;»aba3on  JN'eptune,  an  old  Fenobscot 
Indian,  "tvho  piloted  Gen.  Knox  tiiroui^h  thi^i  section  when  roads  were 
indicated  by  gpccted  treea.  lie  id  now  s'J  rears  of  age,  and  his  memory 
is  apparently  unimpaired.  The  dialect  of  his  fathers  i?  beinj^  numbered 
amonr  iiie  tijinp-a  that  were;  Boon,  all  that  remains  to  tell  the  tale  of  the 
''■poor  JtirliaE,-'  will  be  a  tew  mennorials  ibat  may  be  preserved  in  cabinets 
or  recorded  with  the  pen.  We  will  here  give  a  lew  of  the  word^,  with 
their  definition.?:  Meguuticook,  large  sea;  Chebo^^ardiuac,  a  high  hill; 
Wardjou.  a  i;:il;  Neguassabtm,  large  pond;  Nejriias.sabemacege^  small 
pond;  Naraguagus,  (the  name  ol  a  river  near  Ihuma^jtoa.) 

*  Ducktrgp  ,-aid  *o  h^-o  li-rivt-d  \U  name  from  the  iuiet  below  the 
bridge,  w)iich  is  so  c-r.triictc-d  'di  to  form  a  strait,  near  wbic:h  sportonQwJi 
Used  to  iia  in  ambuab  uliiie  the  j/ame  was  scared  up  by  others.  The 
ducks  in  ibeir  lli.;ut  wouid  ^eek  egress  through  the  strait,  and  thus  becom* 
game  t\:  tlie  huutimau.   iieuce  lbs  ori^ia  of  tbe  word. 


I 


I 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEy.  65 

business  being  urgent,  he  declined  the  hospitalities  tendered  to 
him  to  tarry  over  night,  and  continued  his  journey.  It  appears 
he  missed  the  path  and  wandered  into  a  meadow,  and  becom- 
ing benumbed  with  the  cold,  he  sat  down,  and  yielding  to  the 
feelings  of  drowsiness  that  proves  fatal  to  those  thus  overcome 
by  its  spell,  he  fell  into  that  sleep  that  knov^  no  waking. 

In  the  following  spring  he  was  found  by  the  settlers  in  a 
situation  corresponding  mth  the  above  facts. 

5* 


66 


5KZTCHES  OF  THE 


Camden  plantation— [Note :  Lincoln,  Hancock  and  Waldo  Counties.] 
—Xegunticook— Camden  Incorporated— Oriirin  ot  tue  name— Extract  from 
Lord  Camden"?  speech — t  ir?t  iowa  Meeting — namec<  of  officers  chc5en— 
Kuraber  of  votes  pollt-d— Impcuuiiin^  of  svvine — The  iirst  bridi^o— Mr. 
McGIathry  contracts  to  builJ  one  ai  the  foot  of  the  stream— Disagree- 
ment— Final  adjustment  of  the  case— ref-sons  '.varned  ou'  of  Town— Tlie 
first  School  House— iloaey  raised  for  School— School  Teachers. 


■P  to  the  year  1791  Camden  wa8  only  kno"wn  as  a  plan- 


tation, defined  as  belnfi  in  the  County  of  Hancsjok,* 


Province  of  ]Maine,  and  Commonwealth  of  ^lassachusetts. 
The  appellation  of  Ne3;nnricook,  f  or  I^IoTanticook,  np  to  this 
time  wa*  sometimes  given  to  th«  whole  pla-itation,  l:fi_it  generally 
it  was  applied  to  the  settlement  at  the  harbor,  of  which  place 
the  name  is  most  happily  suggestive. 

On  the  1 7th  of  Februaiy,  1 71)1,  the  plantation  of  Cambden  " 
became  incorporated  as  the  7  2d  town  in  the  State. 


•Camden  was  within  the  precincta  of  Lincoln  County  until  tliat  or 
Hancock  wai  establijued,  June  2.j,  1780,  when  it  bt;oa:ae  included  in  the 
latter  county.  Camden  continued  in  Hancock  until  17'jl,  and  before  steps 
were  taken  for  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  our  citizens  petitioned  the 
General  Court  for  lo  be  set  ofT  to  Lincoln.  Their  petition  was  not 
granted  until  several  months  after  tiie  town  became  incorporated.  The 
General  Court  was  opposed  to  tLie  prayer  of  ,«aid  petifionera,  but  finally 
it  was  granted,  and  i.i  lJ--c.,  iT'JU.  we  find  Camdon  d;-!ined  s.s  being  in 
Lincoln.  When  'n  H.-uiC-^ok..  our  people  used  to  urt?  n  l  urt  at  Penobscot 
(Castinetbnt  after  the  change  occurred,  the  place  of  n>M';.->  was  Waldoboro, 
•which  was  the  shire  town  of  Lincoln  from  the  year  lT-'3  to  the  year  1S00> 
when  Wiacasset  became  the  geat  of  judicature  in  its  fxnAd.  Camden  re- 
mained in  Lincoln  untd  Waldo  County  was  incorporated,  July  4,  1S27» 
at  which  time  it  was  ana'^xed  to  the  latter,  of  which  Belfast  became  th« 
ehire  town. 

t  We  observe  in  the  E,ecord3  of  the  town  that  the  name  ol  Ne^nnticook 
was  thus  speilcd  up  to  the  year  1754,  and  from  docururatd  we  have 
examined  in  the  3Ia«s.  State  Hou^e,  we  find  the  practice  of  thus  spelling 
it  continued  up  to  the  year  i7<f7. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN  67 

The  name  of  Camden  *  was  bestowed  upon  the  township  by 
the  Twenty  Associates,  as  %ve  learn  from  an  article  in  the 
Mass.  Hh.  Coll.,  vol.  ii..  3(1  series,  p.  223,  and  also  from  a  plan 
of  the  township  now  befoi-e  us,  beaiinij  date  of  Sept,  1768. 
The  name  Ls  ^aid  to  have  been  aiven  it  in  honor  of  Lord 
Camden,  a  parliamentary  friend  of  the  colonists  prior  to,  and 
during  the  revolutionary  war.  Daring  the  war.  measures  were 
proposed  by  parliament,  and  enunciated  by  the  kmg  in  his 
prov'lamation,  that  the  subjugation  of  the  colonists  be  accom- 
plished by  inciting  the  Indians  to  wage  against  them  their 
most  cruel  kinds  of  warfare.  This  most  tyrannical  measnre  of 
the  Crown  met  with  earnest  opposinon  from  the  Eari  ot 
Chatham,  Col.  Barre.  and  others,  at  which  time?  Lord  Caniden 
arose,  and  in  speaking  against  the  barbarous  scheme,  said,  •■  It 
ought  to  be  damnedi — it  holds  forth  a  war  of  revenge  such 
a.s  Moloch  in  Pandemonium  advised;  and  it  would  fix  an 
inveterate  hatred  in  Americans  against  the  very  name  of  English- 
men, which  will  be  left  a  legacy  from  father  to  son,  to  the  latest 
posterity  1"  Such  ii  a  sample  of  the  man  from  whom  Camden 
dcrivc<l  its  name,  f 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  inn  of  Peter  Ott,  on 
the  1th  of  April.  1791.  Tlie  othcers  there  chosen  were  Wm. 
rrr>-"mr}-.  moderator ;  John  Harkness,  town  clerk  :  John  Hark- 
ness,  1st  <elcctman,  Wm.  Gregory,  2d  selectman, "\Vm.  McGlath- 
ry,  3d  selectman;  Paul  Thorndike,  constable;  Nathaniel  Pal- 
mer, tax  collector:  Joseph  Eaton,  treasurer;  Jas.  Richards, 
Robt.  Thornflike,  and  David  Nutt,  surveyors  of  lumbc'r,  &c- 
Five  men  were  likewise  chosen  as  Tjihlnnnen  :  (these  person- 
ages were  a  terror  to  Sabbath  breakers.)  and  two  to  the 
distinguished  office  of  hog  reeves.  After  disposing  of  the  ordi- 
nary town  business,  they  then  proceedv-d  to  vote  for  "VVm. 
Lithgow,  Esq..  tor  Representative  to  Congress.  Being  no 
oppo<ition  candidate  presented,  ho  received  thirty-two  votes. 

•The  name  L*  spelt  CarvbJfn  on  the  town  records  up  to  the  year  1300, 
whtra  the  pn-sent  mode  of  ?r,yl!ing  it  wad  ado;  ti^  l  Tae  misnomer  wai 
c.>n'.\i^-i,-<\  a-  latL-  a-i  l-^'i' ,  ■•■L;cli  time  wd  fiu'i  il  -^u  L.;t3  iitia  pa^e  of  a 
pricttKl  s<jrrnoQ. 

t  Then;  are  now  15  places  ia  the  United  States  of  tiie  came  of  Camdan. 
6 


•i?  SKETCHES  OF  THE  ' 

John  Hancock  for  Governor,  and  Samuel  Adams  for  Lieut. 
Governor,  received  twenty-six  votes  each. 

At  a  toT^Ti  mocting^  held  tiie  ensuing  Jane, — for  they  'were 
held  a=;  occa-ion  required,  sometimes  three  or  four  times  a 
year. — an  article  was  in-erti-d  iu  the  warrant  for  the  meeting 
"to  See  if  the  I'own  "Will  build  a  Pound  &  Chuse  a  Pound, 
keeper."  Also  -i^  See  if  tlic  Town  TV'ill  Lett  hogpfs  Kun  at 
Large  AViih  Bina-'  &  Sheep  Without  a  Sheppard."  AMien  ?aid 
articles  wt-re  aei' d  upon,  it  v.as  voted  to  build  a  pound,  and 
that  it  be  made  -  tight  enouiih  to  Stop  Pigs  a  Month  old." 
As  the  impoun'liiig  of  swine  did  not  seem  to  give  entire  satis- 
faction, it  was  voted  next  year  that  they  *•  Should  Go  at  Large 
if  yoked  &  Ringod." 

The  first  bridge  that  was  used  to  cross  Megunticook  stream 
with,  at  the  Harbor,  consisted  of  a  jam  of  logs,  situated  just 
back  of  James  llichards'  ^rri^t  and  saw  mill.  A  bridge  was 
afterwards  erected  on  the  stream  just  back  of  Mr.  Chase's 
blacksmith  shop.  This  bridge  getting  out  of  repair,  it  was 
voted,  May  7th,  1792,  that  instead  of  repairing  it,  a  new  one 
should  be  built.  Wm.  McGlathry  undertook  to  fuhili  the 
contract  for  12  potmds  and  10  shillings.  The  outlet  of  the 
stream  was  then  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  Crabtree's  grist 
roili  tlume, — at  the  north  end  of  the  Woolen  Factory  ;  and 
the  original  northerly  bank  was  uniform  with  the  part  now  to 
be  seen  just  back  of  the  Me-srs,  ^Mansfields'  blacksmith  shop. 
Ai'ter  !Mr.  McG.  had  completed  the  abutments  of  the  bndge, 
— at  the  foot  of  the  stream,  just  back  of  the  grist  mill, — some 
complaint  was  made,  by  whicli  a  town  meeting  was  called, 
and  the  oontrav  t  revokr-  l.  r>Ir.  McG.  appears,  however,  to 
have  fulfilied  tlra  contract,  and  a  road  was  opened  which  the 
selectmen  had  survxned  an't  laid  out  on  a  line  with  the 
bridge,  which  was  below,  and  parallel  with  the  pre:>ent  road, 
— Main  street.  After  the  bridge  was  couipleted,  the  objections 
raised,  were,  that  it  was  too  high,  and  frail,  as  teams  would 
make  it  -way  v-'ii'e  tTr.-rin^  it.  and  b>  ing  without  a  substan- 
tial railing,  it  wa^  regarded  as  highlv  unsafe.  Mr.  McG. 
aff'prward  d^man-ied  compensation  for  building  said  bridge, 
but  the  town  voted.  (.^Lprii  2,  1798,)  "not  to  pay  "  him  "  for 
ti«  bridge," 


SISTCT^T  or  CAHpEJf,  OS 

In  the  insumg  October,  the  -bridge  quescion,"  (^sinco,  liLw 
then,  regarded  as  a  vexata  qucestio,  as  will  be  dlsoo\erei.l  ov 
some  future  antiquarian,  when  he  shall  recur  to  the  year  oi  our 
Lord  185^3.)  was  settled  by  passing  the  following  vote: 
"Voted,  to  pay  Wm.  MeGlathry,  Esq.,*  for  the  Bridire 
built  a  cross  ISegunticook  stream;  which  S20  was  due  irum 
hini  for  highway  tax  ;  provided  ha  will  give  a  full  diM.'hari:*; 
for  sd.  bridge."  (To%vn  Eecords,  p.  79.)  We  ].re-i.n.e  i',- 
question  was  settled  agreeably  ta  said  proviso,  as  it  l^  not  aiiam 
alluded  to  in  the  Town  Keeords. 

We  are  intonned  that  the  stream  was  spanned  bv  a  bridue 
where  the  pre-xiit  one  now  stands,   as  earjy  ;w  llbo.  but 
the  Town  P.e;'ords  are  very  indefinite  about  it.  v,e  -       <  t 
speak  oi  it  with  positivenoss. 

There  wa.s  a  law  in  force  at  this  time,  (17D-2,)  by  which 
the  Selectmen  were  authorized  to  warn  rli  new  comers  or 
transient  persons  out  of  town  who  had  not  made  ai>pucation 
to  the  proper  to^vn  authoriries  lor  the  pm-pose  of  beconnug 
permanent  residents.  On  a  precept  now  before  ns.  wlut.h  was 
duly  served  Jan.  2d,  1792,  we  find  the  names  of  twenty -two 
men,  women  and  children  who  were  thus  warned  out  ot 
town."  Among  the  number  are  several  who  were  atterward^ 
accounted  as  being  among  the  first  citizens  of  the  tovs-n.  m 
wealth  and  respectability.  We  believe  only  thi-ee  cases  are 
thus  recorded,  t  This  custom,  which  appeai-s  to  have  had 
its  origin  in  the  old  countries,  is  still  arbitrarily  observed  in 
some  portions  of  England,  where  the  poorer  classes  ah^ue  suJer 
from  its  effects.  X  The  object  of  this  custom,  or  law,  wa»  to 
prevent  persons  becoming  chargeable  as  paupers  to  any  place, 
we  suppose.  At  this  time  there  was  but  cnie  pauper  in  town, 
and  she  was  kept  for  several  years  by  diiierent  persons  tor  lu». 
per  week. 

The  first  school  house  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge, 

•  Aboac  the  year  179>-'J'J  ilr.  ilcGlatliry  moveil  tu  rrauklort,  whers  hU 
merit.-  made  him  one  of  thfi  leading  men  of  tb:it  town,  aa  they  did  la 
Camdtn. 

t  See  Town  Eecords.  p.  22,  2a  and  ;i>, 

tSm  Coh4Mua  VfhiU  SlavM  of  England,  p.  251  and  -  .. 


tft.  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

^vas  situated  on  Capt.  Jesse  Hosraer's  land,  at  the  corner  ot* 
Wood  and  Elm  streets.  It  was  a  frame  building,  a  part  ot" 
TvLicli  no^v  compn^cs  the  dwelling  Louse  of  Mr.  Coburn  Tyler. 
Tlie  rir-L  allusion  to  a  si-liool  in  the  Town  Ptecords.  is  April 
2.  I  7i"-2,  wlion  .3  pounds  wa.^  voced  lor  stud  object.  Tlie  follow- 
ing year,  (Mar.  4,  17l>3,)  20  pounds  was  voted  for  the  same 
purpose:  March  3,  17IM.  the  appropriation  was  SO  pounds. 
The- school-master  during  the  latter  year  was  Asa  Hosmer  :  his 
successors  were  Rol>ert  PortersfieLl  and  Benj.  Stetson.  Aa 
^Ir.  Hosmer  came  here  about  the  year  1780-7,  it  is  quite 
probable  that  he  wai  about  the  first  school-niaster  cnvploved 
by  the  town.  Sueli  is  tiie  earliest  record  we  have  ot  the 
institution  that  teaches  youna  ideas  how  to  shoot."  and  of  the 
instructors  connected  with  the  same. 


HIiTORT  OF  CAMDEX. 


v/ualidcatious  for  roters— Preaching— Scarcitr  of  iliniiters— Town  liiied 
for  not  haviE<r  a  settled  Miaister— Military  slfair.?— State  ieparatiou  ques- 
tion—Po^t  Otiice  e-tablirheu— Firit  Pn<t  Maatrr— ilaii  Carrier— Town 
Meetin;??— Town  expense?— School  nod  Ministerial  lots  doimled  to  the 
Town— The  Foote  Uouse- Names  of  transient  I'reacher?— Rev.  TruI 
Cotfia's  description  ot  Camden— social  Library— rroposition  to  build  u 
Meeting  H.r.i-e— roliticai  attairs— Fai  ish  Tax— ^'c^-corltortni^■ts  ].ro!tst 
a..:aia>t  bein^r  as;ej.-ed — Separation  question  a^ain — Masonic  ajRurs — 
Taxes  coilecti  d  for  notliin^'" — Fropoiitiou  to  divide  the  Tuv/k— Ihe 
old  Mteting  House. 

IN  the  town  records,  under  date  of  March  22,  1794,  we  find 
the  qualifications  tor  votei-s  are  ^iven,  with  which  our 
present  liberal  laws  are  in  happy  contrast.    As  the  hour 
of  meeting  was  aliO  remarkably  dilferent  trom  the  time  observed 
at  the  present  day,  we  will  quote  the  entire  notice : 

The  tret-holdcrs,  and  uthci"  inliabitants  ot'  said  Town,  of 
twenty-one  }-ears  and  upwards,  liaviug  a  Ireehold  estate  within 
the  Commonwe:dth  of  the  annual  inc<)me  or"  tliree  pound;,  or 
any  estate  to  the  value  of  sixty  pounds,  to  meet  at  Mr.  Peter 
Ott's  oa  ^Monday,  the  7th  day  of  April  next,  at  12  of  the  clo<-k 
at  noon,  to  give  in  their  votes  fc)r  a  Governor,"  &c. 

Up  to  the  year  17'.j-4  there  had  been  no  stated  prearhing 
in  town:  but  once  in  a  ^rreat  while  reiiiiious  teacliers  woidd 
chance  to  stop  here  wliiie  pa.ssing  throngij  ti;c  place  ;  and  thus 
the  inhabitants  of  Camden  would  ocCfVoionally  have  the 
privilege  of  listening  to  the  word^  of  life.  Ou  the  occasion  of 
the  arrival  of  any  preai'hcr,  the  news  was  soon  disseminated 
throughout  the  town,  wlien  a  good  .-ized  and  attentive  congre- 
gation would  s<->on  be  gathered  together  to  enjoy  the  rar« 
prl-.  il-;gp  of  li.-tvt'.ius-  i'>  a  Sermon.  Th<;'  s,  ;. ,,f  ni'ini-^t.'-r-  iti 
this  section  of  Maine  near  this  time  may  i.  ■  known  by  an 
extract  from  a  letter  wntten  by  the  Hon.  Gen.  Lir.coln,  relating 


72  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

to  the  "  Religious  State  of  the  Eivstera  Counties  of  the  District 
of  Maine,"'  dated  at  Boston,  Feb.  10,  179u.  where  it  says: 
**  There  are  not  more  than  three  ordained  ministei-s  from 
Penobscot  river  to  Pa5samaquoddy,  an  extv^nt  of  more  than 
one  hundred  miles."  * 

At  this  tiiue  (i'"94)  there  was  a  law  in  force  in  the  Com- 
monwealth of  ^Massachusetts  makiu;z  it  finable  for  any  town  to 
be  without  a  "  gospel  minister."  As  said  law  was  infracted 
by  this  town,  we  tind  inserted  in  a  warrant  for  a  town  meeting, 
dated  June  21,  1704:,  the  fijllowing  article:  ''To  see  what 
the  town  will  do  in  regard  to  an  indictment  ;)gain?t  them  ibr 
neglecting  for  the  space  of  three  years  last  past  to  procure  and 
maintiiin  as  the  law  obliges  a  settled  ordained  minister."  t  At 
said  meeting  the  following  action  was  taken  upon  the  ([uostion  : 

Voted,  that  Mr.  David  Blod^et  and  Mr.  S  vai'l  iMi.Lauuklin  be 
a  committee  to  draw  up  a  petition  for  to  l;iy  brtbre  '.ho  Supreme 
Court  next  to  be  holden  at  Hallowell,  against  paying  a  fine 
for  not  having  a  minister  for  three  years  past."  J  The 
question  was  contested  by  the  town  at  the  next  Supreme 
Judicial  Court,  but  the  decision  there  given,  was  in  vindication 
of  the  law,  and  the  town  was  mulcted  in  full,"  2  poimds,  14 
shillmgs  and  6  pence." 

By  ^iu  act  of  the  flencral  Court,  June  2-2,  17ii;j,  a  new 
impjet'is  wn.^  givt-n  to  the  Militia  law,  and  by  an  improvement 
in  the  system  and  discipline,  an  increiised  interest  was 
taken  in  niilitary  affairs  throughout  the  Province  of  Maine. 
Gren.  Wm.  Llrhgow,  of  Hailowell,  wa.s  tlien  we  think, 
Major  Genej-al  of  the  Lincoln,  or  8th  Division,  in  which  the 
Camden  company  was  embraced.  On  a  warrant  for  a  town 
raeeting  under  date  of  Aug.  171)4,  we  find  the  following 
articles  relating  to  the  subject :  "  7'o  see  what  sum  of  money 
the  town  will  vote  to  fiay  the  act  soldiei-s  now  called  for,  or 
what  the  town  will  relative  thereto."  To  see  what  sura  of 
money  the  ti;»wn  will  vote  to  purcha.^e  a  town  stock  of  arms  and 
ammunition,  or  what  the  town  will  act  relative  thereto." 

•Mas.-?.  Hist.  Coli  IV., 
t  Town  Records,  p.  46. 
tlbid 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEy.  73 

When  the  town  meeting  convened,  the  tJch  of  the  ensuin<-T 
month,  the  fol]oT\-lng  action  was  taken  on  the  aforesaid  artichi=i : 
Voted  to  pay  the  minute  men  §8  a  month  with  the  Con- 
tinental pay.  for  the  time  they  are  in  the  service,  besides 
clothing."  Vof-'d,  to  pay  ti\e  minnte  men  three  sliiliings  a  day 
for  every  day  they  train."  "  Voted,  to  raise  St)  pounds  tor  to 
purchase  a  to^vn  stock  of  arms  and  ammunition."  * 

In  the  above  warrant  the  following  article  is  inserted  :  To 
see  if  the  Town  will  send  a  representative  to  Portland  ia 
regard  of  a  separate  State  but  it  was  concluded  not  to  then 
rebel  against  the  old  Commonwealth  ot  Massachusetts,  but  to 
endeavor  to  quash  the  incipient  feeUng  of  disconfent  by  refusing 
to  send  a  I'oprcscntative  to  snid  convenrioa. 

During  this  year  a  Post  Oifice  was  established  iu  town  ;  and 
Joseph  Eaton  was  appointed  postmaster.  The  office  was  in  the 
old  Eaton  house,  the  cellar  of  which  is  now  to  be  seen  on  Eaton's 
Point.  George  Ptusselh  ot  Castine,  was  then  the  mail-carrier, 
and  before  the  post  oflice  was  established  here  he  used  to  caiT)- 
the  letters,  in  a  yellow  colored  handkerchief,  but,  at  thhs 
time  he  carried  the  -  mail  in  a  leather  h;vi  on  lus  ijack.  lie 
used  to  perform  his  route  from  St.  George  to  Sandy  Point 
about  once  a  week.  After  the  roads  were  opened  the  postman 
rode  horseback,  and  when  within  about  half  a  mile  of  the 
oiFice  he  used  to  give  tlie  premonition  of  his  approach  by 
sounding  a  post  horn.  Mr.  Eaton  was  succeeded  by  Joha 
Hathaway  a^  postmaster,  who,  in  turn,  was  succeeded  by 
Benj.  Gushing. 

At  this  time,  the  town  meetings  were  sometimes  held  at 
Goose  E,iver.  (at  Peter  Ott's  taveni,  on  the  place  where  ^tr. 
Jeilerson  Smith  now  lives.)  and  at  other  times  at  tlie  Harbor; 
and  as  it  was  deemed  practicable  to  have  them  hell  at  the 
above  plai/es  alternately,  we  find  at  a  meeting  in  2sov.  it  wa3 
••  Voted,  To  liave  the  To^vn  meetings  half  the  time  at  Xeguii- 
ticook  for  tlie  futer.*' 

1  V*.').  The  expenses  of  the  town  f  n-  this  year  may  be  seen 
by  the  fallowing  sums  voted  for  saiil  purpose  :  -  twenty  pounds 


•  Iowa  Eeccrda,  p  47. 


r. 


74  IKETCHES  OF  THE 

for  the  necessary  charge  ot'  the  town *'  3"  po-und?  tor  Xha 
aupport  of  school ;"  SO  pounds  for  highvray  :"  and,  after  mature 
deliberation,  undoubtedly.  It  was  voted,  also,  to  raise  "3'> 
pounds  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel."'  Who  the  preacher 
was.  that  was  hired  for  the  said  "  SO  pounds,"'  wo  cannot  now 
ascertain. 

Feb.  4,  1795,  the  "20  Associates  of  the  Lincolnshire  Com- 
pany" donated  to  the  town  '-the  ministerial  lot,  No.  o7,"  fwhere 
the  first  church  was  subsequently  built,)  and  ••  tlie  school  lot, 
No.  5S.''  (wliieh  was  adjoining  the  other  lot.)  lor  whi<*h  the  town 
tendered  a  vote  of  thanks  to  said  Company. 

During  tliis  year,  John  Bowoi's  erected  the  building  subse- 
i[uently  known  as  the  •■  Foote  house."  It  vras  occupied  as  a 
hotel  by  Mr.  Bowers  from  17;)5  to  ';'7  :  by  Ebenezer  Fain  In 
'd";  Philip  Crocker  1797-98,  and  by  Capt.  Edward  Payson 
until  18('0,  dui-ing  which  year  he  died.  It  afterwards  passed 
into  the  hands  of  Col.  Erastus  Foote,  dunng  whose  o^raership 
it  was  used  as  a  tavern,  dwelling  house.  6:c.  In  was  torn 
down  in  1853  by  Mr.  Joel  Thomas,  who  purchased  tlie  house 
and  land.  The  land  on  which  it  stood  is  now  owned  by  Wm. 
Merriam,  Esq.,  and  sons,  who  contemplate  the  erection  of  a 
brick  block  on  the  spot. 

At  a  meeting  held  the  7th  of  March,  1796,  it  was  voted  to 
raise  S10<;>  for  the  support  of  school,"  and  "Si 00  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  Go<j)el."  The  latter  sum  was  evidently  bestowed 
upon  transient  religious  teachers. 

Among  those  who  used  to  preach  here  about  this  time,  we 
might  mention  the  following  reverend  gentlemen :  Ehsha  Snow, 
(of  St.  George,)  Isaac  Case.  Jno.  Whitney.  Joseph  Kiehards, 
(of  Camden) — Baptist.  Paul  Cothn,  (of  Buxton.)  Jno.  Lath- 
rop,  (of  Boston.) — who  was  an  u^ent  for  the  Tract  Society — 
Phineai  Pillsbury.-r— Congregationist.  Joshua  Hall,  Joshua 
Wells,  Piobt.  Yellalee,  Aaron  Humphrey,  and  Ephm.  Stinch- 
fiehh  *  Methodist. 

Rev.  Paul  Colhn,  D.  D.,  who  kept  a  journal  of  his  travels 
while  in  the  euq^loy  of  the  Missionary  Society,  (ot  the  Congre- 


*  Mr.  Stinc^eld  after-wards  became  a  I  r&5  Wiii  Baptist. 


HISTORY  or  CA:.rDEx,  75  • 

gationist  order,  we  think,)  made  the  following  entry  when  at 
Camden,  under  date  of  Aug.  15,  1796:  ''Camden,  formerly 
Megtmticook.  S(|uire  McGlathry  treated  'm«  with  true  and 
simple  poliTeness,  and  hcspitality.  This  is  a  place  beautiful  for 
situation,  and  promising  for  trade.  The  harbor:  a  mill  for 
boards  and  corn  on  a  fresh  stream,  and  the  adjacent  gently 
rising  lands  made  a  good  appearance,  and  are  quite  convenient. 
The  back  country,  east  and  we^t,  have  no  market  but  this. 
One  sliip  and  a  schooner  have  thb  year  been  laiuiched  here, 
and  six  or  seven  heavy  vessels  are  on  the  stocks.  The  roads 
ai-e  here  beaten  and  worn.  The  plac(e  looks  more  like  home, 
and  a  seat  of  trade,  than  Ducktrap,  Northport,  or  Belfast. 
Eight  years  have  done  all  tiiis.  Tiie  Squire  h.is  sold  one-fouvth 
of  an  acre  of  land  for  $luO.  Alx>ut  fifteen  neat  houses,  some 
large,  with  other  buildings,  make  the  appearance  of  a  compact 
town.  The  harbor  is  full  of  pleasant  islands."  *  During  this 
year  a  libraiy  wai  ingtituted  in  town,  called  the  Federal 
Society's  Library."  It  contained  200  Tolum«s,  and  after  an 
existence  of  34  years,  rhe  atlair  was  closed  by  selling  the  books 
at  public  vendue. 

.  "At  a  legal  meeting,"'  held  the  7th  of  Nov.,  i7D6,  it  was 
"  Voted,  to  build  a  Meeting  House  at  the  crotch  of  the  roads  on 
Mr.  Isaac  Harrington's  land^  Provided  said  land  is  gaven  to  the 
town."  The  project,  from  some. cause  or  other,  failed,  and  said 
meeting  house  was  not  built  at  the  time  and  place  designated. 

Until  the  elections  of  179G,  candidates  f>r  political  office  in 
the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts — m  which  this  State  wa3 
then  included — were  generally  elected  without  any  opposition, 
and  if  an  aspiranf.  lor  a  place  within  the  gift  of  the  people  had 
the  fortune  to  be  nominated,  he  was  ([uite  sure  the  choice 
would  be  unanimously  ratided  at  the  cnsuin^r  election.  At  thia 
period  party  lines  WL-re  drawn,  when  the  Federal  and  Demo- 
cratic parties  marshalled  their  forces  and  appeared  at  the  polls 
with  their  respective  candidates.  At  the  spriug  election,  Sam'l 
Adams,  the  Federal  candidate,  was  elected  O'. '  r  his  opponent, 
Increase  Sumner,  by  a  handsoaie  majority,    in  this  town, 

•  ••■  Missionary  Town  in  Main^  la  1790,"  in  the  Me  Hiit.  Coii.,  IV., 
p.  828.  J 


71  .       SKETCHES  0?  THS 

the  vote  for  Adams  was  unanimous,  he  receiving  40  votes  and 
Sumner  0.  At  the  November  election  the  choice  of  the  town 
was  for  a  Federal  representatire,"  without  a  dissentient  vote- 
In  fact,  there  existed  ^uch  harmony  on  politics  for  a  number 
of  years  that  no  other  than  a  Federalist  was  expected  to  cast  a 
vote,  as  the  following  article  in  a  warrant  for  a  meeting  for  the 
election  of  State  officers,  Oct.  21,  1790,)  illustra!es:  ''To 
bring  La  there  Votes  for  the  choice  of  a  Federal  Keprosentative." 
A  unity  or  sentiment  existed  on  political  matters  until  about  the 
year  ISOq,  when  a  change  occurred  by  which  elections  were 
ever  afcerwards  contested. 

179  7,  Agreeably  to  a  law  of  the  Commonwealth,  every 
citizen  was  required  to  pay  a  tax  lor  the  support  of  the  stand- 
ing religious  order  of  the  place  where  he  resided,  unless  his  in- 
tentions were  duly  recorded  to  the  eifect  that  he  belonged  to 
some  other  denomination  and  contributed  for  the  sustenance  of 
the  same.  Accordingly,  under  date  of  Feb.  l-itb,  we  find  the 
following  protest  filed,  sijrned  by  nine  non-conformists  : — "  To 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Cambden,  members  of  the  annual 
meeting  of  said  town:  Gentlemen,  we,  the  subscribers,  citizens 
of  America,  willing  to  bair  our  Proportionable  part  of  charges 
for  the  support  of  Keligion  and  ci\il  Government,  and  belong- 
ing to  the  Denomination  of  Baptists  do  Kequestot  you  Brethren 
an  Exemption  rom  being  taxed  for  the  support  of  any  Preacher 
of  the  Gospel,  but  those  of  our  own  denomination,  and  for  your 
health  and  happiness  as  in  Duty  bound  we  shall  ever  Pray."* 
After  this  year,  similar  protests  are  of  frequent  occurrence 
upon  the  town  records  from  persons  of  the  Baptist,  Free  Will 
Baptist,  Methodist,  and  Universalist  orders. 

At  a  "  legal  meeting,"  heldiniMay,  the  question  of  separation 
from  Massachusetts  was  acted  upon  '.vhen  the  vote  stood  2G 
yeas,  -4  nays. 

In  September  the  town  was  indicted  for  not  having  a  supply 
of  ''military  stores,"  and  John  Hathaway,  Fsq.,t  was  chosen  to 
defend  the  town  at  the  county  court. 


•Town  Eecorda,  page  5^. 

+  3£r.  Hatiiawaf  wa»  tii«  iLr»t  Uwyer  la  t«wa. 


f 

I 
I 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDeK. 


77 


179S.  At  a  meeting  held  in  March  it  was  voted.  "Not  to 
Rase  money  to  the  gospel  this  year." 

May  7,  170^,  a  meeting  was  called  for  the  election  of  a  town 
representarive  to  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts.  The 
meetinqj  was  hell  at  the  house  of  Pbiiip  Crocker  at  the  Harbor 
village.  After  a  moderator  was  chosen,  it  was  "  Voted,  to 
adjourn  for  half  an  hour  and  to  meet  at  Benj.  Cushing's 
store."  The  obiect  of  this  adjournment  is  not  stated,  and  it  is 
accordincr'y  left  for  posterity  to  conjecture  concerning  it.  On 
resuming  the  bu;ine';s  of  the  meeting,  it  was  "  voted,  that  SamT 
Jacobs  bo  representative."  This  was  the  first  time  this  town 
was  represented  at  the  General  Court.  In  the  toilowing  year 
it  was    voted  not  to  choose  a  representative  to  send  to  Court." 

Jan.  2,  1790,  the  Masonic  fraternity  held  their  first  meeting 
and  etfected  a  temporary  organization  by  making  choice  of 
the  following  officers:  Philip  Ulmer,  blaster;  Jno.  Hathaway, 
Secretary.  A  committee  was  then  chosen  "  to  addre-s  a  petition 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  a  Charter."  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Fraternity,  Jan.  .30th,  it  was  "  voted,  that  the  title  of  the  Lodge 
be,  the  Federal  Lodge."  S50  was  then  raised  for  the  pro- 
curement of  the  Chirter.  It  appears  that  the  Grand  Lodge 
did  not  think  that  the  name  of  a  political  party  well  accorded 
with  the  object  of  the  Order,  and  so  instead  adopting  the  ap- 
pellation presented,  of  the  more  euphonious  one  of  Amity," 
was  alhxed  to  the  charter ;  which  was  given  at  Boston  March 
10th,  ISOl. 

Apr.  23,  1801,  the  Lodge  met  at  Benj.  Palmer's  hall,  (in 
the  house  now  owned  by  Capt.  Jas.  Clark.)  where  they  made 
choice  of  the  following  permanent  officers  :  Geo.  Llmer,  M.; 
Hezekiah  Prince,  S.  W.;  Samuel  Thatcher,  J.  W.;  Erastas 
Focte,  S;  Wm.  Gregory,  Jr.,  T.;  Benj.  Cushing,  S.  D.:  Joshua 
Adams,  J.  D.:  Simon  Barret,  S.  S.;  Bela  Jacobs,  J.  I).;  Christo- 
pher D  iiley,  Tyler.  On  the  first  night  of  the  meeting,  the  names 
of  1*  pe-itioncrs  were  received.  The  installation  address  was 
delivcrcfl  July3'\  ISOl,  by  the  Fwcv.  Thurston  Whiting,  of 
Warren.  * 

On  the  Town  Records  (p.  82,]l under  date  March  4,  1 709,  we 


•  R»cordi  of  ta«  Ord«r- 


t 


78  SKETCHES  OP  THE 

find  the  following  vote  recorded :  "  Voted,  John  Gregory, 
constable,  to  collect  for  nothing."    Cheap  enough ! 

In  the  Town  Records  of  March  4,  1800.  we  see  the  foUowing 
article  inserted  in  a  town  meeting  warrant :  To  see  v;bat  the 
town  will  do  in  regard  to  setting  oiT  a  part  of  Camden  join- 
ing the  northerly  part  ot  Thomaston  to  make  another  town." 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  make  the  necessary  survey,  and 
report.  The  dividing  line  was  to  commence  between  Gooso 
Eiver  and  Clam  Cove,  and  run  northerly  to  the  Hope  line. 
The  rewrt  of  the  committee  was  accepted,  but  it  appears  no 
deBnite  action  was  afterward  taken  upon  the  matter,  and  thus 
the  scheme  was  abandoned,  by  merited  neglect. 

In  1''J0  a  meeting  house  was  erected  by  the  munirlcence  of 
private  individuals.  It  was  situated  on  the  old  post  road 
exactly  half  a  mile  from  J.  H.  Curtis,  Esq.'s,  store.  It  had  a 
vestibule  on  the  front  end  which  extended  to  the  eaves.  The 
roof  was  tlat,  and  in  the  centre  was  a  belfry  that  rose  to  an 
altitude  of  about  twenty  feet,  and  was  pointed  at  the  top.  The 
outside  was  cla^-boarded  and  painted  yellow.  The  house  was 
entered  through  the  vestibule,  the  door  of  which  opened  into 
the  central  ot  the  three  aisles.  The  body  of  the  church  con- 
tained 75  pews,  which  were  ot  the  high  old,  fashioned  kind, 
The  gallery  which  encircled  the  room,  was  entered  by  a  Hight 
of  stairs  leading  from  the  porch  In  the  gallery  directly  in 
front  of  the  pulpit,  was  the  singing  seats.  The  pulpit  was 
nearly  on  a  line  with  the  topping  of  the  gallery,  thus  placing  the 
preacher  in  a  lofty  position  enough  to  sc^n  his  whole  audience. 

Directly  over  the  pulpit  was  a  sounding-board  of  the  size  and 
shape  of  a  mill  stone,  whi('h  was  suspended  by  an  inch  ^nd  a 
half  iron  bir.  Among  th^j  juvenile  hearers  it  used  to  tend  to 
enforce  the  precepts  given  by  the  preacher  from  the  fact  that 
they  (as  one  of  them  avers)  used  to  rt-vercntly  believe  that 
if  the  incumbent  of  the  sacred  desk  deviated  from  the  truth  dur- 
ing his  ministrations  therefrom,  said  sounding-board  would  fall 
upon  his  head  "  instanter,"  as  a  token  of  Divine  disapproval  ! 

This  mr-rcciair  house  was  used  a.^  a  place  of  worship  until  the 
Congregational  church  was  erc-;t'»d.  in  1S34.  It  wa^  atterward 
sold,  and  as  it  was  much  dilapidated :  it  was  torn  down  about 
the  year  15o8. 


I 


HISTOST  OF  CAMDEX. 


79 


An  aquaduct  laid— Rev.  Mr.  Pili*bury— Elforts  to  procnre  a  Mini?ter— 
Town  expenses — The  Turnpike — The  Mo'jntain  Fa?* — 1^^  jcenery— j[ode 
of  making  the  Turnpike — An  lacideBt— Cost  ot  the  Turnpike — Eiircbased 
by  Camden  and  Lincolnviiie — Diiniel  Barrett— rictures'.iiie  sceaery — Rev- 
Joshua  Hall  preaches,  and  teaches  school  here — Members  of  h:i  fcociety — 
The  Lo^  iSchooi  House — Goose  Kiver  Bridges. 

APRIL  7th,  1800,Micah  and  Wm.  Hobbg  came  to  Camden 
from  Princeton,  Mas?.  ;  sooq  after  which,  they  con- 
tracted with  Jacob  Reed  to  lay  an  aquaduct  at  the 
Harbor  village.  The  pipes  were  made  of  hemlock,  spruce,  and 
cedar,  in  sections  of  about  ten  feet  in  length,  connected  by 
chamfering  the  ends  so  as  to  fit  one  into  the  other.  The 
conduit3  led  from  a  spring  at  the  base  of  the  mountain,  (directly 
back  ot  S.  G.  Adams,  Es.j.'s,  house,)  and  supplied  several 
houses  on  the  northerly  side  of  the  bridge,  and  crossed  the 
stream  between  Mr.  Chasa's  smith  shop  and  the  Bowling 
Alley,  and  thence  branched  otf  in  different  directioaa  to  the 
houses  on  the  southerly  side  of  the  bridge.  Between  the  years 
1812  and  '18  another  au'-iaduct  was  laiu,  ler^ding  irora  a  spring 
in  Mr.  Jas.  Richards'  tield,  from  which  the  more  southerly  part 
of  the  village  was  .supplied  with  water.  It  appears  to  hare 
been  a  stock  concern,  of  which  Mr.  Reed  was  the  principal 
owner,  and  director.  The  pipes  were  only  conducted  to  such 
houses  as  complied  with  the  terms  of  the  oompanj.  **  Some 
of  the  oil  conduits  may  be  seen  near  tiie  north  easterly  end 
of  the  Meganticook  House,  where  they  have  become  exposed 
to  view. 

In  the  town  meeting:  warrant  for  Oct.  1»3,  1500,  an  article 
was  inserted  to  see  if  the  town  would  consent  to  settle  ond 

*Brar;.r!Ct  nt"  th^  L'-    -  ^  panged  April  5.  1        t  ••unllsr  corapaay 

wti  iucorpurated  in  tO'rt'i,  cxi.:d  the  M-'s^unticook  !v' t'owp'xny,  but  *.$ 
the  proprietors  did  cor  jj.  ^.r '>-i^h  d-:>«erved  auocaea  in  obtaining  subscrip. 
tioa  to  tiieir  stock,  the  euierprise  tailed. 

7 


80 


SSETCHES  OP  THK 


"  Rev.  Mr.  Pillsbury  "  as  a  religious  teacher  to  attend  to  the 
spiritual  -wants  of  the  communitj.  The  article  was  passed 
over,  and  consequently  the  invitation  was  not  extended  to 
him.  April  G,  1801,  S150  was  voted  to  be  raised  "  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  ministry,"  and  a  committee  of  three  was  appointed 
to  procure  a  preacher."  It  was  voted  also  that  "  The  candi- 
date shall  have  sulHoient  credentials  or  not  be  employed."  Said 
committee  corresponded  with  several  mmisters  on  the  subject, 
but  they  did  not  chance  to  find  the  kind  of  a  man  they  were  in 
quest  of. 

1802,  April  oth,  the  town  voted  to  raise  S2,400,  as  follows: 
$1,200  for  repair  of  the  highways ;  5300  for  the  necessary 
charges  of  the  Town;  SlOO  tor  the  support  of  the  ministry; 
S800  for  the  expense  of  schools. 

During  this  year,  Dan'l  Barrett  obtained  of  the  General 
Court  of  Mass.  a  permit  or  charter,  to  make  a  turnpike,  follow- 
ing the  base  of  Mc  Me^unticook,  from  hia  land,  (now  owned  by 
his  son,  Wm.  Barrett,)  to  Smelt  Brook. — one  mile  in  length- 
Previous  to  this,  the  road  or  path  leading  from  Camden  to 
Lincolnvilie  Centre,  passed  over  Megunticook  mountain,  and 
was  entered  near  where  Wm.  Barrett  now  lives.  The  path  in 
some  places  vras  through  a  deSle  of  the  mountain,  and  was  so 
narrow  that  it  could  not  be  used  by  a  vehicle,  and  was  difficult, 
6ometimes  hazaidous,  even  with  a  horse.  Its  ciitfy  and  danger- 
ous sides  always  made  it  a  dreaded  pass  to  those  who  were 
necessitated  to  travel  it  .  In  some  places  a  miss-step  might 
precipitate  the  traveler  hundreds  ot  feet  in  the  chasm  below. 
Its  romandc  pioturesqueness,  however,  constituted  it  a  lovelv 
place  tor  the  acmirers  of  ITature,  v/ho  could  there  gratify  their 
taste  for  the  sublime  and  be:iuliful  to  its  fullest  extent. 

It  may  at  ones  be  perceived  what  a  great  benefit  a  turnpike 
would  be,  when  so  much  uan^'cr  and  difHcult  traveling  would 
thereby  be  avoided.  The  conception  of  the  plan  v/as  as  great 
as  it  was  humane,  as  will  be  conceded  by  all  who  are  acquainted 
■with  the  place.  The  culfy  oa^s  of  the  mountvua  formed  the 
margia  cf  Canaan  Pond  froia  the  commencement,  to  the  end 
of  the  road. 

Such  were  the  obstructicc?  to  be  overcome.    The  plan  Mr. 


HISTORY  or  CAMDEN.  '  81 

Barrett  devised  was  to  roll  large  rocks  from  the  mountain  to 
make  a  wall,  and  the  a  form  the  road  by  filling  in  with  dtbris 
and  dirt  Every  common  expedient  was  used  in  detaching 
rocks,  undermining  boulders,  and  blasting  granite.  Among  the 
workmen  employed,  were  four  manumitted  slaves  :  of  one  of 
them  the  following  incident  is  related,  tending  to  illustrate  the 
manner,  and  hazardousnesg  witli  which  the  work  was  often 
wrought :  A  very  large  rock  had  been  undermined,  and  one 
prop  after  another,  which  were  placed  under  it  to  shore  it  up, 
were  taken  away,  until  it  rested  upon  one  support.  This  stay 
required  to  be  knocked  from  under  by  a  workman.  The  crew 
at  work  at  the  time  numbered  about  forty,  bat  when  the 
proposition  with  a  iiberAl  oiter  was  made  them,  not  one  was 
found  willing  to  risk  his  chance  of  life  for  the  reward  oSered, 
The  silence  was  finally  broken  by  Sambo,  who  stepped  forward 
and  said  to  llr.  Barrett,  Massa,  dare 's  only  one  ting  I  axk  ;  if 
I  dies  in  de  venture,  just  gib  me  a  decent  burryin  and  dat'll 
do."  Being  thus  assured,  Sambo  shouldered  an  ax  and  boldly 
marched  up  the  slope  to  the  rock,  watched  fi-om  below  by  the 
workmen,  who  observed  his  movements  with  lear,  expecting  to 
soon  see  him  crushed  beneath  the  mass.  Dealing  a  few  heavy 
blows,  the  prop  soon  gave  way,  and  the  rock  started  from  it3 
bed,  when  Samoo  quickly  sprang  aside,  and  just  escaped  it  as 
it  went  with  a  loud  crash  down  the  declivicy  into  the  pond 
below.  As  the  dust  cleared  away,  Sambo  was  seen  displaymg 
his  ivory  with  a  broad  grin,  a-id  in  great  glee  he  cheered 
lustily,  as  the  workmen  beneath  sent  up  their  hurrahs  with 
simultaneous  voice  at  the  favorable  result. 

The  number  employed  on  the  Turnpike  varied  at  different 
times  ;  sometimes  there  were  as  many  as  tifty,  at  other  times  as 
r«»w  as  four  or  five.  Many  iron?  Camden  aud  Lincoln ville 
worked  an  allotted  time  for  a  perpetual-  free  passport,  and 
others  for  a  limited  length  of  time.  It  is  said  to  have  occupied 
five  years  from  the  commencement  to  its  completion,  and  to 
have  cost  on  the  aveni'^e  SI, 000  a  year.  * 

*  Anotlier  authont/,— one  of  the  Seieotmea  ot  Linooluvi'le,— java  it 
took  about  three  yeara  to  make  it,  aud  that  it  cost  about  36,000:  th« 
former  stutement  comes  from  a  more  direct  source,  and  tUaa  may  b« 
eoa»idexed  LUa  more  reiiuble  one. 


82  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

The  toll  house  and  gate  was  opposite  to  ^vhere  \Vm.  Barrett 
now  lives.  The  old  toll  Louse  is  still  to  be  seen  near  -where  it 
formerly  stood.  The  toll  rates  [were  as  follows:  3  cents  for  a 
foot  pas^en^er:  S  cents  on  horseback;  12  1.2  cts.  horse  and 
't^agon  :  L.>rseand  chaise,  17  cts.;  1  ct.  apiece  lor  sheep  and 
swine ;  and  so  on. 

It  -was  used  as  a  toll  road  untii  about  the  year  1834,  when  it 
was  purehaied  by  B-:^nj.  Cashing  and  E])hraim  Wood,  of  Cam- 
den, and  Moses  Young,  of  Lincolnville,  for  $300.  This  town 
•became  responsible  for  the  S200  paid  by  Messrs.  Cushing  and 
Wood,  and  Lincolnville  for  a  part  of  the  sura  advanced  by  Mr. 
Young.  The  Turnpike  proved  to  be  a  poor  investment  for 
^Ir,  Barrett's  money,  as  ii  did  not  near  pay  the  interest ;  and  as 
it  required  much  attention  and  expense  to  keep  it  it  repair,  it 
was  accordingly  sold  as  above.  The  name  of  Daniel  Barrett, 
by  being  asiO«:iated  as  it  is  with  the  history  of  the  Turnpike, 
will  go  down  to  posterity  aa  one  ever  to  be  gratefully  remem- 
bered. 

It  will  be  exceedingly  difficult  to  find  scenery  m  New  Eng- 
land that  will  surpass  in  grandeur  and  beauty  that  which  is 
presented  by  the  Turnpike.  The  traveler  beholds  on  his  right 
hand  the  rocky  clitfs  towering  above  him  some  seven  hundred 
feet,  tending  to  inspire  him  with  fear  and  wonder  ;  while  cn  his 
Itft  hanii.  a:  his  fc^'t,  is  Canaan's  beautiful  lakelet,  whose  placid, 
glassy  surface  seems  to  smile  with  a  consciousness  of  its  own 
loveliness  and  tranqullizing  power,  and  tends  to  beget  in  hia 
niind  feelings  of  serenitv  and  repose,  in  contradistinction  to  the 
sensations  produced  by  its  frowning  neighbor. 

The  above  description  conveys  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  highly 
romantic  appearance  presented.  The  pen  of  a  ready  writer 
might  depict,  and  the  brush  of  a  mav.or  artist  portray,  the  view, 
bat  we  think  the  attempt  wouM  fail  to  convey  to  the  mind  a 
correct  kno?fIedge  of  the  rfuliry  itself.  Tiiose  who  Lave 
enjoyed  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  Turnpike,  will  not  deem  us 
too  entb'isiistic  in  our  encomiums  upon  it. 

On  a  warrant  for  a  t  iwn  nv..-"?.in-:.  <l\U:il  t?opt.  21,  1802,  we 
find  the  toUowlng  article  insert'cd  ;  To  see  if  the  town  will 
agree  with  lier.  Joshu*  Hall  to  preach  with  th«m  and  keep 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDElf.  S$ 

school  for  one  year."  Mr.  Hall  infortned  us  a  few  months  since 
that  ha  received  a  number  of  very  urgent  letters  from  the 
selectmen  relative  to  securing  his  services,  ■when  he  finally 
accepted  of  the  olfer  tendered  to  him.  Any  action  upon  the 
question  ■would  not  be  valid  unless  ratified  by  the  town.  When 
the  town  meeting  was  held  it  was  Voted,  to  strike  out  the 
words  'and  keep  school,'  "  and  then  it  was  next  voted  to  pass 
over  the  rest  of  tho  article.  But  Mr.  Hall's  friends  were  set  on 
having  him  here,  on  so  insisted  on  his  comin>:;.  Among  those 
who  belonged  to  his  denomination — Methodist — were  Daniel 
Barrett,  Richard  Wilson,  and  David  RolUn;'.  In  addition  to 
his  Sabbath  ministrations,  he  taught  school  one  season.  He 
a^ed  to  teach  one  term  alternate'/  at  the  Harbor  and  the  lliver. 
The  place  in  which  he  kept  school  at  the  River  was  a  log  cabin 
situated  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  David  Talbot,  Esq.'s, 
house  ;  so  says  one  who  attended  said  school. 

Dec.  14,  1801,  tha  town  "  voted  to  build  a  bridge  over  Goose 
River  stream."  At  a  meeting  held  Apr.  4,  1803,  it  was  voted 
to  raise  SI 50  for  the  purpose  of  building  said  bridge.  This 
bridge  is  situated  about  a  quarter -of  a  mile  above  the  new  one, 
near  where  W^inchester  Farnhara  usef'  to  live,  or  in  proximity 
to  the  land  now  owned  by  the  h-iirs  of  Cant.  Ja,bez  Amesbury. 
The  road  crossing  the  bridge  was  used  as  the  post  road  until 
about  the  year  1844,  when  the  bridge  below  was  built,  which 
was  re-built  in  1856,  at  a  cost  cf  $4,300. 


7* 


-I 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


Father  Sewairs  alJuaion  to  Camden— Tho  Town  txtends  a  "  cail "  to 
Rev.  Tiaos.  Cochran— [XorE] — His  salarv— Di?«enters — Ordination  Day — 
Ile^ai-'Ied  a  "  hi^h  day  — Deatli  ot  a  Ghuton — Tlie  In^tstUation — Pro- 
ceeai-i--?— "Quakers— First  L'ni veriuJist  Freaehiuir— Fr.^.>,  Wj!!  r.aptists  and 
Methodi-t£ — Vo'cea  for  Governor— rroi.-osi'ioa  ior  the  protc-ctiou  of  Fi?a 
— Question  of  separation  from  3Lis=.  agixated — Ammunition — The  Em- 
bargo— Infraction  oi  the  Act — An  Instance — A  Ye=sel  seized  by  Collector 
Farley — A  bond  given  as  securic\- — Sails  for  Frar.ci— I  aiiu.  e  To  recover 
bon-I? — Cur  Citizen?  petition  the  President  fcr  the  rc-uiovivl  of  the  Em- 
bargo— The  Commonweaiih  ot  Ma^^  i  frtitioii-.d— I  he  restriction  removed 
— H02;  Reeves — Uni versalists  torm  a  Society— Reading  of  Sermons — Mem- 
bers of  said  Society— Votes  tor  Governor— Bounty  offered  on  Wild  Cat3 
and  Crow* — Maj.  Jos.  Peirce — The  (;>ld  Matisicu  Bouse — ilaj.  Peirce  de- 
camps Triih  the  Records  of  the  Tuenty  Associates. 


1Q  /~\  r)    DURING  this  year,  Rev.  "  Father  "  Sewall,  a 
O  v/O  0     Congregationist  minister,   visited  Camden, 
and  speaks  of  it  as    containing  somewhat 
mere  than  a  hundred  families,  having  a  decent  meeting-house, 
but  no  church  ct"  anv  denomination,  and  only  a  few  scattering 
professors."* 

1804.  During  this  year,  Rev.  Thoa.  Coohrant  preached  here 
a  fcTT  times,  and  as  he  gave  such  general  satisfaction,  the  town 

*  MeiiiOir  of  Rev.  Jotham  Se-.vail,   p.  ICJ. 

tMr.  Cochran  yra.s  born  in  New  Boston.  N.  IT,  April  14,  I771.  He 
graduated  at  Dartmouth  Cci'ece.  Bin  fathc-r,  John  C«'!ran'.  was  bom 
in  Londonderry.  N.  K.  His  .•r.-ardfather  was  anura-  the  memoriaJleta 
from  the  north  of  Ireland  v  ).w  !.etjti..ned  Gov.  >hute.  io  171S,  as  being 
desirous  to  mi-rate  '•totfc  r.  very  e.vcelJent  an.|  renowned  PJantation,"— 
New  Ea^land.  ':^U:<^imT  wrh  iire  <i*.>.ired  t'ncnr2[r.:_Tn..'t;t  from  the  Gov- 
eraor,  *!:-e  tnemoriali-t?.—  rincij-ally  irom  Lc.nduad.-rr-.- .-commonly 
called  tne^h  :rt,-h-l--i.,  e:n\-.,r\  -i  r^.  ^'etv  tao-Iand.  ^^  irirMhey  arrived 
A:iz.  4.17'^.  .li  t^?  s'!';:.-.::'i  :  ..-f^r,  tho  -^riiicrvi!  t -r:  .  f  settled 
a  ;.;-n;  :::-.n  -  to  -  '        •  ;  .         5  .,;  ^         _  .■..oi.derry. 

We  have  tr3 cad  out  th?  hi..:c.-y  of  thf-rj  Scotch-Jrir-b  c^IohimLb  in  our 
Sketciiei  ot  tiis  Early  liiii<jry  of  Jivira^t,  X>wnb«i'»  I  ft£u  2. 


HISTORY  OF  CA-MBEN-.  85 

voted,  Nov.  5th,  to  give  him  "a  cail"'  -if  terms  can  be  agreed 
on  to  their  mutual  sausfaction."  Feb.  11,  1805,  S500  was  voted 
as  his  salary.  It  v/as  also  voted,  "  That  the  first  settled  minister 
in  said  town  have  toe  improvement  of  one-third  part  of  the 
lot  near  Goose  Iliver,  (given  by  the  Proprietors  of  said  Town 
ot  Camdea  for  th.;  n^e  of  the  ministry.)  as  long  as  he  remains 
a  minister  of  said  Town."  * 

It  appears  there  were  many  who  dissented  from  the  proceed- 
ins-;,  and  we  find  that  Richard  Wilson  and  eleven  others 
proiested  against  them,  and  caused  a  meeting  to  convene  on 
the  13th,  to  reconsider  the  vote  of  Feb.  11th.  Their  reasons 
of  opposition  are  not  given,  but  it  appears  they  were  in  favor 
of  dividing  the  money  ihus  appropriated  among  the  religious 
tea;hers  of  the  dllTerent  denominations.  The  vote  stood  as 
follows:  50  votes  for  reconsidering,  and  5  7  votes  against  it;" 
so  the  motion  was  lost  by  seven  majority. 

On  the  day  oi  ordination,  Sept.  llth,  1805, .there  was  an 
unusual  stir  about  town.  Many  had  come  by  sea  and  land 
from  not  only  all  the  neighboring  towns,  but  some  as  far  as 
Brooksville  .  f      '^^  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^  occasion  was  regarded 

aa  a  "  great  day  "  in  this  section.  Besides  being  a  "  high  day  " 
to  the  moral  and  religious  part  of  the  community,  it  was  im- 
proved by  "  the  baser  sort"  in  horse-racing,  drinking,  and 

carousmg.    One  John  N  ,  of  Lincolnvllle,  who   was  a 

"  Revolutioner,"'  made  an  unnatural  fool  ot  himself  by  imbibing 
to  excess,  and  while  endeavoring,  at  a  public  dinner,  to  accom- 
plish the  feat  of  a  glutton,  swallowed  a  piece  of  unmasticated 
meat  and  choked  to  death.  Commemorative  of  the  above, 
and  other  Incidents  of  the  day,  some  poetaster  composed  some 
verses,  which  became  as  popular  among  certain  classes  as  are 
familiar  melodies  at  the  present  day. 

But  we  will  now  notice  the  installation  occasion.  The  church 
was  crowded  in  the  pews,  galleries,  and  aisles,  and  many  were 
unable  to  obtain  admittance  at  ail.    The  meeting  was  called 

♦  Town  Recordi*. 

f  Tiii  purty  that  came  from  Drookpville  met  with  a  sad  rrushap  while 
retarnin^r,  by  the  capaizijig  of  tha  boat,  by  which  a  Misa  Nichols  waj 
drowned. 


86  »i:etchks  of  the 

to  order  by  making  choice  of  Rev.  Josiah  Winship,  of  TVoolwicb, 
as  moderator,  and  Rev.  Hezekiah  Packard,  A.  M.,  of  Wiscasset, 
secretary.  The  following:  persons  ■were  then  formed  into  a 
Congregationist  church: — Thos.  Cochran,  Robert  Thorndike, 
Jos.  Eaton,  David  Blodget,  Lewis  O^iier,  Bathsheba  Thorndike, 
Elizabeth  Hosmer,  Lucy  Eaton,  *  Lucy  Blodget,  Mary  Keyea. 
Afier  the  church  was  formed,  the  Council  gave  opportunity  to 
them  to  call  and  invite  Mr.  Thos,  Cochran  to  take  the  charge 
and  oversight  of  them  in  the  Lord.  llavin;r  examined  the 
candidate  and  being  satisfied,  the  Council  proceeded  to  ordain 
him  as  pastor  of  the  church  and  minister  of  the  town  of  Camden. 
The  sermon,  preached  on  the  occasion  by  Rev.  Mr.  Packard, 
together  with  the  char:.e  by  Rev.  Mr.  Vi'inship,  and  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship,  by  Rev.  Mighill  Blood,  was  printed,  f  A 
copy  of  the  sermon,  &c.,  is  in  our  possession.  It  was  printed 
in  Buckstown,  (now  Bucksport.)  oy  Wm.  W.  Ciapp.  J 

At  this  time  there  were  a  tew  persona  who  belonged  to  the 
society  of  Friends  ;  we  will  here  record  the  fact  by  giving  the 
names  of  that  "  devoted  few  :"  Ruben  Hussey  and  wife,  Ephraim 
Gray  and  wife.  It  was  some  years,  however,  before  any 
preachers  of  that  sect  preached  here. 

1806.  About  this  time,  Rev.  Sam'l  B?.l:cr  preached  the  first 
Universalist  sermca  ever  delivered  in  town.  It  is  believed  that 
Rev.  Sylvanas  Cobb,  now  editor  of  tbe  Boston  "  Christian 
Freeman,"  was  the  next  one  of  that  faith  who  preached  here. 
Transient  preachers  of  this  sect  visited  here  until  a  society  was 
organized,  of  which  we  will  speak  in  the  proper  place. 

At  this  peroid,  and  in  fact  some  time  previous,  the  Free 
Will  Baptists  had  preachin-T  here.  Rev.  Ephraim  Stinchfield, 
who  left  the  Methodist  order  near  this  time,  d.nd  joined  tbe 
Free  "Will  Baptists,  was  tlicir  '  tated  preachf^r.  Tn  the  absence 
ofaMethodiit  preacher,  the  Methodists  used  to  aiteud  the  Free 

•  Mrs.  Eaton  'n  the  on!/  snrTiving  member  of  tlje  ori;^iiial  church:  8h« 
WM  bcra  April  10,  1774. 

t  Ber.  B.  C.  Chase's  sccii-center.nial  Addren,  deLvvred  in  Camdea 
Sept.  11,  1S.j5,  p.  7. 

$It  ia  «aid  tbe  &r«t  n*W3p*p<;p  printed  in  th«  rsgion  of  the  Pet»ob«cot, 
was  at  Buck^towQ. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEX.  87 

Will  Baptist  meetings,  and  vice  versa.  Hence  we  find  on  a 
papar  nled  with  the  town  clerk,  the  names  of  members  of  these 
two  societies  together.  Among  the  certificates  recorded  we 
find  the  following  reported  as  being  supporters  of  Free  Will 
Eap'iSt  preai.Ling  :  V/.iterman  Hewitt,  Jno.  ^May,  Joab  Brown, 
Jas.  Keen,  Wm.  Spring,  Rd.  Wilson,  Reuben  Keen,  Zadock 
Brewster,  Elisha  Bradford,  Jno.  Grose,  and  Peter  Barrows. 

lu-llcaiive  of  the  spirit  of  politics  this  year,  is  the  following 
vote  for  choice  of  Governor :  Caleb  Strong  had  78  votes,  and 
hi3  opponent,  Jas.  Sullivan,  So  :  the  highest  number  of  votes  was 
for  <:hoice  of  Irouncilmen,  when  the  combined  vote  tun  up  to  16!). 

Daring  this  year  a  proposition  was  made  in  tov^u-mee'Ling 
to  .'.ijcriate  with  tijj  proprietors  of  the  ddois  and  rnliis  on 
iltjauticook  stream,  to  induce  them  to  open  a  sluice  for  the 
passage  of  "  the  fish  called  alewivea  and  others,"  into  "  the 
Lar_e  Pond/' — r^Ioiyneaux  or  Canaan  Pond.  It  appears, 
however,  that  no  favorable  action  was  taken  thereon  as  it  was 
referred  to  a  future  meeting,  and  thus  "  tabled." 

ISO 7.  This  year  the  question  was  presented  in  town-meeting 
to  .-ee  if  our  citiz-ins  were  in  favor  of  a  separation  from  the 
Cop.:.Taonwealr.h  of  lAlassachusetts,  and  the  erection  of  a  new 
itate.  The  vote  stood  as  follows :  la  favor  of  separation, 
7  ;  against  it,  i33. 

I-^'jS.  May  2  the  town  "  voted,  to  raise  SlOO  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  powder  and  balls,''  agreeably  to  the  requirement 
of  law.  This  vote  indicates  the  approach  of  the  Embargo 
time.  Camden,  like  all  the  other  seaport  towns  in  the 
Province  of  Maine,  very  sensibly  felt  the  blighting  effects  of  this 
restrictive  measure.  Although  it  was  laid  upon  our  general 
shipping  on  the  22d  of  Dec,  1807,  yet  it  was  not  sensibly  felt 
m  tills  town  until  the  following  spring.  Despite  of  the  vigilance 
ot  the  Custom  House  oihcera  in  this  district,  several  of  our 
vessels  managed  to  elude  their  scrutiny,  and  cleared  tor  foreign 
ports. 

Nickerson,  a  trader  here,  fitted  out  a  schooner  at  this  time, 
•fr:-'^v^-d  tJT  ih.i  Vi-ti:  ladia  markka.  Capr.  Benj.  Thomaa 
took  command  of  her,  and  on  a  favorable  night  he  clandestinely 
slipped  Lis  moorings  and  shaped  her  course  for  the  West 


88  SKETCHES  OF  THK 

Indies.  Disposing  of  his  cargo  to  great  advantage,  he  then 
ventured  to  return.  Apprehensive  of  a  search  and  seizure 
by  the  proper  authorities,  he  bored  into  the  vessel's  stanchions, 
and  there  deposited  the  proceeds  of  the  voyage.  When  he 
arrived  here,  search  was  instituted  by  the  Custom  House . 
officers,*  but  finding  nothing  tangible  as jjriwa  /aci(?  evidence 
of  an  infraction  of  the  Embargo  act,  no  further  action  was  had 
thereon. 

At  about  the  same  time  of  the  above  successful  expedient,  a 
number  of  our  citizens  clubbed  together  and  fitted  out  a  vessel 
for  a  foreign  cruise.  While  in  the  harbor  awaiting  a  favorable 
breeze,  Colu  ctor  Farley  got  word  of  her  intent  to  sail,  and 
so  dlipatched  the  Revenue  cutter  from  V7aldoboro  after  her. 
The  suspicions  against  the  vessel  being  confirmed,  she  was 
at  once  stripped  of  her  sails  to  prevent  her  sailing,  and  a 
keeper  placed  on  board  to  guard  her.  The  sails  being  carried 
ashore,  the  otlicers  tried  to  get  soma  one  to  carry  them  to  a 
place  of  security,  but  no  one  responded  to  the  request.  Si- 
meon Tyler,  then  a  lad,  told  his  father  he  vpould  get,  and 
secrete  them  when  night  approached,  which  he  accordingly 
did,  and  hid  them  m  his  father's  cellar,  the  late  Wm.  Carlton- 
house.  Some  one  followed  him  to  the  house,  but  made  no 
attempt  to  recover  the  sails.  In  about  a  week  the  injunction 
was  removed  by  the  owners  of  the  vessel  getting  signers  to 
a  bond  as  security  against  clearance.  As  soon  as  the  sails  were 
restored,  the  vessel  was  perfectly  equipped,  or,  "  in  good  order 
and  well  condition  "  for  a  cruise.  On  the  first  evening  breeze, 
the  sails  were  hoisted,  and'  the  anchor  wei2,li8d,  and  away, 
"like  a  thing  of  life,''  the  freighted  . vessel  s;».iied  for  France. 
The  cargo  and  vessel  were  there  sold,  ami  the  captain  and 
crew  returned  in  anoth??r  bottom.  It  appears  the  signers  of 
the  bond  were  irresT)onsible  men,  and  consecpently  no  indem- 
nity was  ever  obtained. 

Our  citizens,  deeming  it  unjustifiable  to  break  over  th« 
Embargo  law,  voted  at  a  town  meeting,  held  the  12th  of 
Sept.,  to  choose  the  lOiiowing  committee  to  uravf  up  a  petition 


•  Jo«.  Farl*7,  Ej<].,  of  Waldoloro,  waa  then  Cciiector  of  this  district 
»&d  it  i$  beiieyei  tuat  Cftpi.  Caiviu  Curtia  wai  hit  deputy  at  tliLi  pori. 


HISTORY  or  CAMDKK. 


89 


relative  to  raising  the  restriction,  and  present  it  to  the 
President:  Nath'l  Martin,  Pbineas  Bowers,  Saml.  Jacobs, 
Capt.  Jno.  Pendleton,  and  Wm.  Parkman.  As  it  is  a  matter 
pertaining  to  general  history,  and  is  worthy  to  be  preserred  in 
print,  we  will  here  present  the  address  entire  : 

«  To  the  President  of  the  United  Stales  : 

"  The  Citizens  and  freeholders  of  the  Town  of  Camden, 
•itoated  on  the  Bay  of  Pensbscot,  in  the  District  of  Maine,  in 
legal  town  meeting  assembled,  respectfully  represent, — 

"  That,  intliienced  by  patriotic  desire  of  subserving  to  the 
laws  and  Government  of  their  Country,  they  have  hitherto 
ffubmitted  to  the  distress  and  embarrassment  of  the  Embargo 
without  opposicion,  and  still  intiuenced  by  the  purest  motives, 
their  greatest  sense  of  the  love  of  their  Country  never  shall  be 
found  wanting  in  promoting  the  public  safety  and  welfare;  but, 
the  evils  we  are  now  experiencing,  and  the  d!?mal  prospect 
before  us  make  it,  in  our  opinion,  a  duty  incumbent  on  us  to 
be  no  longer  silent.  Being  thus  situated  in  a  new,  rough,  and 
in  a  great  measure  an  uncultivated  part  of  the  Country,  and 
depending  on  the  fi.sheries  ard  lumber  trade  principally  for 
subsistence,  our  fish  and  lumber  remaining  on  our  hands  in  a 
perishable  condition,  having  no  market  for  the  one  nor  the 
other ;  added  to  this  the  severe  restriction  on  our  coasting  trade, 
the  limbargo  presses  peculiarly  hard  on  your  Petitioners, 
depriving  them  of  the  means  of  discharging  their  debts  with 
punctuality,  and  of  supporting  themselves  and  families  with 
decency ; 

"  "We  now,  therefore,  look  up  to  your  Excellency,  as  our 
political  head,  with  the  m.ost  satisfactory  expectations  that  our 
foreign  relations  have  so  far  changed  with  respect  to  Spain  and 
Portuijal  and  their  dependencies,  as  that  you  can  legally  grant 
us  a  speedy  relief  by  suspending  the  Act  of  Congress  laying 
an  Embargo  on  all  the  ships  and  vessels  in  the  harbors  of  the 
United  States,  in  which  or  in  part  as  you  by  your  superior 
means  of  information  may  judge  most  conducive  to  the  welfare 
of  our  common  Co'intry.  Frcn  their  distress  and  embarrasi- 
ment  your  Petitioners  anxiously  solicit  you  to  relieve  them."  * 


•  Town  Ktcordi,  p.  ITS. 


90  eSETCHES  Oir  THE 

Said  Address  was  duly  forwarded  to  the  President,  Thos. 
Jefierson.  It  may  be  easily  imagined  that  the  prostration  of  the 
commercial  interests  of  oar  citizens,  in  which  they  were  quite 
largely  engaged,  would  be  likely  to  cause  them  to  use  their 
utmost  endeavors  to  secure  the  removal  of  the  cause  of  the 
detriment. 

As  the  general  government  continued  the  Embargo,  our 
citizens  on  the  3')ih  of  Jan.,  1809,  petitioned  the  Legislature 
of  Mass.  to  use  the  influence  of  the  Commonwealth  to  eiTect  its 
removal.  As  the  Address  contains  some  interesting  historical 
facts  not  mentioned  in  the  one  addressed  to  the  President,  we 
will  here  give  it  a  place  at  the  risk  of  some  dight  repetitions  : 

"  To  the  Hon.  the  Lcgisla'ure  of  the  Comniorm'calth  of  Ufassa- 
chiisetts : — 

"  The  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Camden  in  regular  meet- 
ing assembled,  beg  leave  to  represent : 

"  In  common  with  our  fellow  Citizen^  we  have  suffered,  and 
are  still  sutTering  very  severely  under  the  operation  of  the 
several  Embargo  Acts.  We  are  willing  to  make  great  sacrifices 
and  submit  patiently  to  any  privations  which  appear  to  be 
necessary  for  the  true  honor  and  prosperity  of  our  Country. 
We  cannot  however  perceive  and  are  yet  to  learn  that  the 
system  pursued  by  our  General  Government  is  likely  to  procure 
for  our  Country  honor  abroad  or  safety  and  prosperity  at  home. 
"We  have  in  common  with  many  other  towns  in  this  Common- 
wealth, petitioned  the  President  and  Congress  tor  redress  of  our 
heavy  grievances,  and  have  seriously  to  lament  that  instead 
of  being  attended  to,  new  and  greater  restriciious  are  imposed, 
and  we  cannot  but  view  with  great  alarm  the  late  Act  of  Con- 
gress to  enforce  the  Embargo, — an  act  wl-ich  in  our  opinion 
strikes  home  at  the  civil  rights  of  the  Peo')It;,  and  threatens  & 
total  subversfon  of  our  Liberties.  We  are  convinced  the  exist- 
ing Embargo'  Laws  cmnot  be  carried  into  effect  in  this  part 
of  the  Country  except  by  military  force,  and  ive  dread  the 
conse'^uence:''  that  may.  eniae  from  fire  .\-;m-j  h  .'.■■:>:  put  into  the 
hands  of  unprin^'ipied  men  acting  under  tuo  iv..ii:oviiy  of  the 
officers  of  Governmenr  avraiust  the  united  and  deliberate  senti- 
menti  of  the  meat  respeciaole  part  of  our  Chizena.    This  being 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDKK.  91 

the  situation  of  our  Country,  and  this  our  opinion  respecting  it, 
our  onlv  hope  rests  in  the  exertion  and  patriotism  of  our  State 
Government,  and  "5ve  earnestly  request  your  Honorable  Body 
to  interpose  in  our  behalf,  and  to  take  ^uch  f-teps  as  you  in  your 
wisdom  may  judize  expe'iient  in  order  to  relieve  us  Irom  oar 
present  distress." 

[Signed:]  Phineas  Bowers,  Nath'i  Martin,  Benj.  Cushinrr, 
•  David  Blodgett,  Hoshea  Bates,  Jno.  Pendleton, 
Nath'i  Hosmer,  Jr, 

"  Camden,  Jan.  30,  1809." 

On  the  1st  day  of  the  following  March  the  Embargo  was  so 
far  removed  as  to  permit  the  departure  of  vessels  to  aU  coun- 
tries except  Great  Brittiia  and  France.  Intercourse  coaimer- 
eially  between  these  two  powers  was  interdicted  by  statute  in 
an  Act,  entitled  the  Non-intercourse  Act."  Th's  was  a  great 
relief  to  many  of  our  citizens  whose  pnneipal  business  was 
connected  directly,  or  indirectly  with  shipping.  Thus  closed 
the  Embargo  times  of  ISOS. 

ISO?.  In.  the  town  meeting  of  April  3d,  we  find  that  the 
"  H'jiiorable  Body  "  ot  Hog  Reeves  (generally  composed  of 
newly  married  men.)  numbered  in  their  train  twenty  of  our 
tT  j.-t  respecrable  citir;ens.  The  chairman  of  that  august  Council 
was  tbj  Riv.  Mr.  Cochran,  who,  we  doubt  not,  with  his  clerical 
brorhcr,  Benj.  Jones,  scrupulously  attended  to  the  allotted 
duties  of  said  office. 

During  this  year  a  respectable  number  of  adherants  to  the 
Universalist  faith  formed  themselves  into  a  society  tor  their 
mutual  benefit,  and  for  the  purpose  ot  avoiding  the  paymeat  of 
the  town  parish  tax.  They  used  to  meet  at  private  houses, 
where  one  of  their  number  would  read  for  their  edification  the 
sermons  of  Ballou  and  Murray.  Joshua  Dilliniiham  and  Jno. 
Markness  were  the  ones  who  generally  read,  I'he  following 
are  the  names  of  the  principal  members  of  the  society  at  that 
time  :  Lemuel  Dilliniiham,  Joseph  bberman,  Joseph  Diiling- 
bam,  Smieua  TyU  r.  Jr..  Ji>o.  ILi-kr.c  <.  a]s<\  B.M-ai  V,  ^ 
The  Lniversalist  society  was  i:ot  incorporated  untd  scuu  veara 
tfcerwards,  of  which,  we  shall  speak:  in  the  proper  pla'-a. 

1810-    The  number  of  votes  lor  Governor  this  year  was  213, 

S  ....... 


53 


SKJ5TCHE3  OP  THE 


as  follows:  Hon.  Christopher  Gore,  102  ;  Hon.  Elbridge  Gerry, 
111.  This  shows  quite  a  change  in  the  political  sentiments 
of  our  citizens  since  the  time  they  used  to  vote  the  "regular 
ticket"  without  a  dissentient  ballot  being  seen. 

1811.  In  re<ru!ar  town  meetinfr,  May  2,  it  was  voted, "  That 
the  Town  give  510  for  each  Wild  Cat's  Head  killed  in  Town 
the  present  year.'*    The  bounty  on  crow's  heads  was  20  cents. 

About  this  time  Maj.  .Joseph  Peirce,  of  Boston,  became  a 
resident  here.  He  was  the  clerk  or  agent  of  the  Twenty 
Associates.  About  the  year  1305  Isaac  Harrington  built  the 
house  known  as  the  "  Old  Mansion  House."  Etfore  it  was 
finished  Mr.  Harrington  failed,  and  it  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Maj.  Peirce.  Said  Mansion  House  "  was  destroyed  by  fire 
about  the  year  1852.  Maj.  Peirce  decamped  from  Boston 
about  the  year  1S16,  for  parts  unknown,  carrying  with  him  the 
records  of  the  Twenty  Associates.  It  was  3:ud  the  cause  of  his 
unceremonious  departure  was  owing  to  his  not  only  being 
badly  in  debt,  but  particularly  to  his  illegal  speculations  in  the 
lands  of  the  "  Lincolnshire  Company,"  of  which  as  agent,  he 
bad  the  oversight.  The  loss  of  their  records  was  the  cause  of 
much  vexation  to  the  Company,  and  of  great  harm  to  many  of 
the  settlers,  who  thereby  had  much  difficulty  abou  t  their  land 
titles. 
>-: 


/ 


HISTORY  OF  GAMBiar. 


2?5rixiJt3L"l30i;:*  SEl'V- 

The  Last  War— An  Embargo— Action  ot  the  Town— A  Memorial  pT»- 
tentfcd— War  declar«d— A  Committee  of  Saiety  appointed— Every  Cuizen 
to  be  prepared  for  RCtual  servise— Military  ainmanitica— I  he  Mutla  of 
Ma?»achusett3— The  Division  of  Maine— Regimental  orders  is8u«d— Cam- 
den Companies  assemble  at  Eajrer's  Tavern— Cavalry  Cooipany  lorin».d— 
An  alarm  list  organized— Volunteer  Company  raised— Start  for  Fort  bt. 
George- Sail  for  Machias— A  Kecrutin^  Station  opened— The  number 
rp.';-.Uu  — fiie  Battles  they  were  engaged  in— Chssley  Blake— En ;^a;:trnoet 
between  tbw  Ent*rpri-e  and  Boxer — Metcal*  and  Parr — Bravary— Faul 
Ihorudike,  Jr.,  taksn  by  the  En^-lish  and  carrieU  to  Dortuioor  i'lzeon 
—liis  Yankee  Storiea. 

WE  have  now  approached  a  period  which  not  only  marks 
an  important  epoch  in  the  history  of  this  town,  but 
also  in  that  of  our  Republic.    "  The  Lasit  War,"  or 
the  '*  Seamen's  War,"  as  it  is  sometimes  termed,  will  now  de- 
mand our  attention. 

On  the  4th  of  April,  1812,  a  general  embargo  of  90  days 
ycM  imposed  by  Congress  upon  all  the  shipping  within  the  har- 
lx)r3  of  the  United  States. 

In  anticipation  of  a  war,  this  town  indicated  it3  apprehensions 
on  the  30th  oi  May  by  passing  the  following  vote :  That 
the  Town  allow  the  musicians,  officers  and  privates  detached 
or  drafted,  S5  per 'month  in  addition  to  the  pay  allowed  by 
Government  al"ter  being  called  into  actual  service."  And  on 
the  2nd  of  June  thy  following  wcs  inserted  in  a  warrant  for 
a  town  meeting  ;  To  see  what  measures  the  Town  will  adopt 
Ijc  the  defense  of  said  Town  against  foreign  enemies."  This 
arU'oie  was  acted  upon  by  passing  the  following  vote  :  *•  That 
a  Committee  of  seven  be  cliosen  to  dral't  a  memorial  to  be  sent 
to  tiie  proper  authorit}-  to  request  some  assistance  for  the  safety 
ot  s:u'l  'l-jwn  'agaiust  lOreign  irivaaion." 

The  e.vptj' tations  of  our  ciri.rens  proved  correct,  tor  on  the 
l-bih  ot  Juul*.  during  the  same  session  that  impostd  the  embargo, 
Congress     declared  -tvar  to  exUt  Oitiaen  Grsai  Britain  and 


'V 


94  ■  8EETCHE3  OF  TH2  . 

the  Uni'ed  Slater."  Governirient  immediateiy  adopted  measure* 
of  defence  by  calling  upon  the  ditferent  slates  for  their  propor- 
tioa  or  the  10'),<)')0  militiamen  to  be  raised  for  the  purpose. 
The  ij_uotu  to  be  supplisjil  by  Maine  ^vas  2./>00.  On  the  2d 
of  July  this  town  appoinied  a  •*  Conimiliee  of  Public  Safety," 
consisting  of  22  of  our  most  prudent  and  prominent  citizens, 
and  at  the  same  time  it  v/as  vote<l  Unaniuiously  that  every 
Citizen,  (whe'-hcr  cxe'upt  frr.m  ^vlilirary  duty  or  not)  forthwith 
arm  au  I  iiquip  liimieli'  tor  actual  >ervice,  to  be  ready  at  a 
moment's  warning  to  assist  in  repelling  ioreign  invasions  or  any 
emergency  tor  the  defence  of  the  Town."  A  committee  was 
next  a]>pointed  to  exatmne  the  Town  stock  el:' Military  ammu- 
uitioa  and  utensils."'  July  loih  iz  was  voitd  to  raise  SloO  to 
purchase  aranianition  in  addition  to  the  Town  stock  required 
by  law." 

At  this  time  the  Miliiia  of  Mass.  consisted  ot  eleven  Divisions, 
four  of  which  were  in  Maine.  In  180S,  IMareh  0th.  Adj. 
Gen.  Wm.  Donnison  arranged  the  dilfereut  crnnpanies  into  two 
Brigade?,  called  the  1st  and  2il  Briga'le.  Of  the  divisions  in 
M-viue.  Hon.  Wm.  King,  of  Bath,  was.  tiien  ^jlniM-n  ]Major  Gen- 
eral. Feb.  12th,  1812,  a  new  arrangement  was  made  by  creating 
a  nfth  ilegiment.  This  was  deemed  nece-  sary  from  the  great 
extent  ot  territorv  included  witliin  the  liuttto  of  said  Kegiment 
as  well  as  the  ntmibers  of  which  it  was  composed,''  justifying 
a  division,  and  also  from  the  fact  "that  the  convenience  of 
the  tro<jps  seemed  to  require"'  it.  Tlu^  regiment  was  "com- 
posed of  three  Companies  in  Ciimden,  two  Coinpanies  ia 
Thoraaston,  one  Company  ia  St.  George,  and  two  Companies 
in  IiO|.e  and  Apfdetoa,  to  be  called  the  ^ili  11  .'ginient,  and 
annexed  to  the  2d  Brigade  and  II th  I)ivisiou  of  ihe  ^Illitia." 
Tijis  dl\i>ioa  was  ma-l'  oat  of  Lieut.  Col.  S.uii'i  Thatclier'i 
third  Ilegiment,  which  then  \(nt  under  his  oo:am.and  "two 
Compai:!es  in  Warren,  two  in  I'nion,  and  one  in  each  of  the 
towns  of  Cusliing,  Friend-liip  and  Putnam^"  * 

On  tlic  4th  of  Aii'_'u-,r.  t  i^l2,~)  Wm.  Carbon,  (dF  Camden,) 
as  Adjutant  of  the  .>.\i  .1  =  t.  l.1  Brigade,  iiia  DIviiiow, 
i<.sued,  per  instructions  giv.ai  ii_v-  the  Lieut.  Conunandant  on 

•Extracts  from    Gtiri«.'-»I  Orderi*  '  now  t6ior«  as. 


I 

f 

/ 


HISTORY  OP  CAMDZX- 


95 


the  30th  of  July,  a  Regimental  Order,  calling  upon  the  Mili- 
tary and  Light  Infantry  companies  in  Camden,  Hope,  Thom- 
aston  and  St.  George,  to  assemble  at  places  designated,  in  theii' 
respective  towns,  between  the  17th  and  19th  days  of  August^ 
"armed  and  equipped  a*  the  law  directs,"  prepared  to  liii  all 
vacancies  of  officers,  and  parade  on  the  occasion.  The  compa- 
nies of  Camden  pursuant  to  notice,  m«t  at  John  Eager's 
tavern  (now  called  the  Mcguuticook  House,")  on  the  17th, 
where  vacancies  were  fiiied,  the  troops  inspected  and  paraded. 
The  companies  present  were  Capt.  Cahin  Curtis's  Light  In- 
fantry-, *  the  Ist  Infantry,  then  lately  commanded  by  Stephen 
Rollins,  (which  had  a  captain's  vacancy  to  fill.)  and  Capt.  Wi.a. 
Brown's  2d  infantry.  The  vacancy  in  the  1st  Infantry  Company 
Tra«  filled  by  making  choice  of  Asha  Palmer  as  captain. 

It  was  in  1813,  as  near  as  we  can  ascertam,  that  a  company 
of  Cavalry  was  formed,  of  which  Dr.  Isaac  Bamard.f  of 
Thomaston,  was  appointed  captain.  This  company  was  com- 
posed of  men  from  Thomaston  and  Camden. 

At  the  time  the  troops  were  being  discipUned  the  spirit  of 
p.itriotism  Wiis  infused  into  our  older  citizens,  and  as  they  by 
law  were  exempt  from  miutary  duty,  they  organized  a  volunteer 
Alarm  List.  Composing  it  were  men  from  all  ages  between 
tii'j  years  of  45  and  65,  several  of  whom  had  seen  service  in 
the  ■  Revolution.  This  veteran  volunteer  company  numbered 
in  all  about  40  it  is  beheved.  John  Pendleton  was  chosen 
by  them  as  their  captain- 

We  will  now  revert  to  the  year  1812.  Soon  ailer  the 
declaration  of  war,  Lieut.  Isaac  Russ  enlisted  a  company  of 
volunteers  in  Camden  and  the  adjacent  towns,  which  numbered " 
about  70.  Something  like  a  quarter  part  of  these  velunteera 
beloaged  in  Camden.  Of  this  company  Jno.  Spear,  of  Thom- 
aston, wad  capt. ;  Isaac  Russ,  of  Camden,  1st  heut. ;  Jno.  Smith, 

•Capt.  Curti3  received  his  commiesioa  Jaa.  3,  1311,  and  resigned  It 
April  21),  1815. 

r  This  was  the  Dr.  Harnard  we  have  beiore  alladed  to,  who  was  th« 
flrit  pLysiciaa  in  Camden.  Sometime  after  Itiving  this  town  tie  settled 
ia  Tboma^ton,  wlieu  ho  mii-riod  a  widow  Hanson.  He  represented  that 
town  at  the  General  Court  of  Maaa.  from  tlio  year  liiOtj  to  ISi'i,  Jio 
•aji  iL^  Sibley  i^  im  Uist.  oi  Union,  p.  SSi. 

8* 


96  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

of  Thoniaston.  2ad  lleut.;  Thoma?  Tolman,  of  Thomaston, 
ensijjn.  Among;  those  from  Camden  who  enlL-ted  in  this  com- 
pany, ^vas  A^a  Richards  and  Asa  Sarrellc.  In  Du'^ember  thig 
company  srarted  tor  St.  Goor:ji\  -vvhcre  ihcy  remained  in  the 
fort  nntil  IVIareh.,  -wuen  ihey  wurc  en:barked  in  a  veiitl  for 
Castine,  whero  they  were  joined  by  Col.  Cumminjrs'  ilontvilie 
company.  They  next  sailed  for  ?vlaeii;.is.  On  iht-h  way  they 
e>pied  the  Enghsh  I'O  gun  :?hip  Kaicler,  -n-hieh  had  been  lying 
in  wait  for  them  at  the  n>.oiith  of  Machias  river.  Hucrgiug 
the  shore,  our  transport  eicajied  observation,  and  run  saiely 
inro  Mac-hias.  Arccr  reuiaining  in  MaL-hias  fort  a  monih,  they 
vTQYii  transported  iu  a  vo«.-el  '.y  ni,:ht  to  lOasiport,  where  they 
were  to  remain  aceordin^:;  to  stipulation  one  year.  After  re- 
maining in  Eastport  one  year  and  a  half,  a  number  from  thii 
p'a>  e  -retnmed,  ainon^^  whom  was  A>a  "Richards. 

During  the  same  year  (lbl2)  a  rccrutiHg  station  was  estalj- 
lished  in  one  part  of  Mo*es  Richards'  hou<e,  (on  the  site  v,'here 
the  Methodist  chtrrch  now  stands.)  The  reoruting  officer  was 
corporal  Caleb  Young,  then  of  Thoniaston,  but  now  of  Camden. 
The  men  he  enlisted  were  to  serve  as  regular  soldiers,  or  as 
"  one  year  men,"  as  they  were  called,  and  to  be  annexed  to  the 
9th  reginifint.  They  numbered  about  thirty.  This  company 
r  :*o.:0'-  -d  'o  Portland  and  then-'C  to  l*tutts:;uT-u,  N.  Y.,  where 
they  Were  engaged  m  the  battle  that  was  fought  there.  They 
also  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chippewa  and  Bridgewater. 
Among  the  number  from  this  town  la  the  company  was  Chesiey 
Blake,  (brother  to  Capt.  ^Vm.  iJlake.)  who  advanced  from  a 
C0i-p>oral  to  a  captain.  He  distinguished  himself  at  the  battles 
of  Chippewa  and  Bri.lg  -water,  and  at  the  siege  of  Fort  Erie. 
G^:-n.  S'ott  soon  aft.  r  promoted  liim  to  a  lieutenancy.  He 
afterwards  commanded  tlic  lirst  steamboat  that  plied  bervveen 
Builalo  iind  Detroit.  On  the  lakes,  he  yrm  famiiiarly  known 
by  the  solri<pae^  of  the  Eake  King."  He  resided  iu  Detroit, 
where  he  died  ar>out  four  years  .since. 

lilo.  Tk  -  ongaijeui-jnt  ijetweva  th*  Britisli  bri-i  Boxer  and 
the  U.  S.  brig  Eatarprise,  betwix!:  I\  Ion  he '.ran  and  F(?maquid,  oa 
the  5th  of  Sept.,  was  distini.  t''y  h  ;ard  here,  and  by  sooac  it  was 
witncicd  from  tJbie  iummit  of  I^Ll  Batty.    The  acJdou,  which 


^  HISTORY  OF  CAWDEX.  W 

la»:ed  35  minuter,  resulted  in  the  death  of  both  commanders 
and  the  capture  of  the  Boxer. 

vSUortlv  alter  tlie  aV'Ove^^iaval  battle.  'Wm.  !vletcalf  and  Wm. 
Tarr,  of  this  town,  became  participants  in  the  same  kind  of  an 
erjraa-ement.  The  name  of  the  man-of-vvar  ahip  in  which  thej 
Tv:;re  in  service  Tve  cannot  ascertain.  Falling  in  v/ith  an  English 
frijace,  broadside  answered  to  broa.liidc  until  the  ships  neared 
ea-  h  other.  As  soon  ai  theBritish  tngace  was  within  heaping 
dlitance,  Metcali  wa^^  the  il j-^t  to  board  her.  Spriuiring  alone 
on  deck  with  hi-  boarding  pike,  he  waj  at  once  a5-;uled  on 
ever}-  side.  He  f'.-uL'ht  wiih  dosocrallon  until  juinod  hy  h'l-i 
comrade-!,  and  at;cr  he  had  despa'ched  ([uite  a  numbor  of  the 
enemy,  he  fell  ^vouautd,  disablei.1  in  tho  knee.  His  tellow 
comrade,  Tarr,  was  mortaily  wounded,  and  did  not  survive 
the  action.  The  British  were  the  victoi-S;  an<l  the  Americans 
fell  into  their  hands  a.s  prisoners. '  On  the  termination  of  the 
■war  Metcalf  returned  home.  Possibly  he  may  still  be  li\-ing, 
as  he  has  not  been  heard  from  for  a  number  of  years. 

At  near  the  same  period  of  the  war.  another  of  ourcitizens, 
Paul  Thorn<like.  Jr.,  experienced  somewhat  of  the  tbrtuncs  of 
w:ir.  lie  sailed  in  an  American  privateer,  in  a  sul-ordinate 
car»acity,  andwhlle  cruising  near  the  English  coast,  our  war  craft 
f-.'l  in  with  a  British  merchantman,  bound  for  Quebec.  She 
w.t-:  i-aptured,  and  after  being  manned,  Thorndike  was  put  on 
board  as  prize  master,  and  proceeded  homeward  with  the  prize. 
"\Yhen  in  the  vicinity  of  the  English  Channel  the  prize  was 
retaken  by  a  Baritish  cruiser,  and  those  on  board  incarcerted 
in  Dartmo<Dr  priuon.  While  on  their  v/ay  to  prison,  their  keep- 
ers tarrie<l  a  short  time  at  an  um  for  refreshments,  aivl  while 
there,  many  of  out  curiosity  gathered  around  the  priso;ierg. 
The  spoliesuian  of  tho  crowd  began  to  interrogate  Thorndike 
relative  to  the  'Tebels"  in  America.  Tlie  f[Uv.'ri;i:  wished  to 
know  what  our  strength  was  "?  what  kind  of  foniiicaticns  we 
had  ?  ic<:.  Wliy.  sir,"  replie<l  Thorndike,  evcrv*  stump  is  a 
place  of  detente,  and  every  pile  of  ro^-ks  is  a  f  :iT'!h.-atioa,  and 
you  might  a.s  w<  il  I'hiulv:  of  subduiuii  Satan  in  top[;et  as  to  try 
to  subdue  th-  Yj.:'\'-vi  by  fighting  them."  Thorndike  and 
hLi  compaaii^ui  rciiMi.-.ijd  m  Dartmoor  priion  uaui  tae  cio»e  ot- 
the  war,  when  they  warn  released. 


98 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


British  War  Vessels— Capt.  Fogler  chased  by  an  English  Privateer — 
Runs  ashore— Incident  of  an  Amerioan  Privateer  and  C-jaster— A  mis- 
take—Capt.  Bate3  «aptured  by  a  British  I'rivateer— ye?«el  re-taken  by 
LonglsIaudL-rs — Capt.  i'ates  again  tuptured  by  an  Eiigii^U  Privateer— Capt. 
Spear's  Ye=jiel  entrapped  and  taken — Pri/'.-s  carried  to  Fox  Islands — An 
ominous  silence— The  Watchword— The  suddia  Salute— The  decks  clear- 
ed—The Captain  killed-TLe  Cable  cuL— 11-2  StL  .vard  .-J:ot~An  attempt  at 
defense — Privateer  escapes — An  inside  view — Yan  kee  iSaiior — A  scene 
in  the  Cabin— A  collotjuy- Papers  restored— lue  Prisoners  released— 
Capture  of  the  Privateer— A  gratiUcatioa. 

DURING  tlie  period  of  boatilitie?,  our  coayt  was  so  infested 
with  the  enemy's  vessels  of  all  classe:^,  from  the  huge 
battle  ship  down  to  the  petty  privateer,  that  it  was  an 
extremely  hazardous  undertaking  for  any  of  our  shipping  to 
venture  at  sea.  By  these  armed  vesseli  thus  swiir-jiing  our 
waters  commerce  became  prostrated,  and  trade  so  ciippled,  as 
to  cut  off  the  means  of  support  for  a  large  portion  of  our 
citizens.  But  as  many  had  no  oicans  of  obtaining  a  livelihood 
than  by  following  their  accustom'^d  vo  cation  upon  the  ocean, 
they  were  under  the  necessity  of  risking  their  lives  and  property 
in  their  honest  calling. 

At  this  time  (16 1;^)  Capt.  Chas.  Fogler,  then  a  resident  here, 
ventured  to  make  a  trip  to  Boston  in  his  coaster,  with  a  cargo 
of  wood.  "When  between  this  place  and  0  >^Vs  Head,  he  was 
espied  by  a  Britiiu  privateer.  Finding  he  ivas  the  object  of 
pursuir,  Capt,  i\,  seciug  no  way  of  escape,  ui  for  Owl'a 
Head,  and  under  a  full  press  of  sail  run  his  craft  ashore. 

This  reminds  us  of  another  case  of  beachinLr  a  vessel  under 
similiar  circumstances.  At  about  this  perioti,  Moses  Thorndike 
of  this  town,  went  as  pilot  in  an  American  privateer.  la 
imitaiioQ  of  ii.e  era  u->  p.-..  iice,  the  priviCCcf  L.»d  iioisted  the 
English  euiign  so  as  to  tuurvliy  entrap  British  vt-s.^els,  and  at 
the  same  time  elude  the  vigilance  of  their  cruisers  and  priva, 
teers.    Seeing  an  AmencAa  coaster  (belonging  ia  Ibis  vicinity) 


HISTORY  OK  CAWDEX.  99 

a  few  miles  distant,  the  privateer  bore  for  her,  to  ascertain  ii 
they  knew  of  any  English  vessels  being  in  sight.  Supposing 
the"privateer  to  be  what  her  dast  indicated,  the  Yankee  coaster 
scu'i  for  the  main  land.  To  undeceive  the  coaster,  American 
colors  w.'.re  then  display -.-d,  but  tht,'y  only  tended  to  confirm 
the  suspicion.  Fearing  the  captain  of  the  coaster  would  run 
her  ashore  for  safety,  the  privateer  tried  to  head  her  off  so  aa 
to  prevent  it,  but  it  was  ut  no  avail.  The  afiVighted  captain 
stranded  his  vessel,  and  as  soon  a.?  she  touched  the  shore  be 
seized  his  pocket  book  containing  his  papers.  Sec,  and  with 
the  crew  rushed  ever  the  bow,  and  tied  to  the  neijihboringr 
woods.  The  privateer  sent  ashore  a  boat,  wich  the  pilot,  and 
several  of  the  crew,  to  apprise  their  apprehensive  countrymen 
of  iheir  mistake.  As  they  landed,  the  distrusting  coaster's  crew 
began  to  peep  from  behind  rocks  and  stumps  to  witness  the 
res-it.  rinding  the  privateersmen  were  not  disposed  to  plun- 
der their  vessel,  and  that  their  intentions  were  evidently  of  a 
friendly  character,  one  after  another  beg^an  to  approach  the 
beri:h.  K'ioo jnizing  the  jtiiot,  one  of  them  sang  out,  Vv'hat,  ;s 
thiic  you,  ThorndiLe  V  "  Ye>^ !  corne  here  you  scarecrows  ;  what 
d'}  fi  run  your  vessel  aground  for  ?"  Explanations  'then  foi- 
lo^-cd,  the  coa-'ter  was  soon  <jot  off  and  continued  her  voyage. 

in  the  summer  of  this  year  Capt.  Hosea  Bates  was  captured 
by  a  iJritich  privateer,  and  he  and  his  crew  were  set  ashore 
below  Camden,  and  the  vessel  was  put  in  charge  of  a  prize 
master.  While  in  the  vicinity  of  Long  Island  (Islesboro)  an 
armed  crew  from  the  island  re-captured  her,  and  in  about  four 
hours  from  the  time  she  was  first  taken,  she  was  brought  into 
Cam  ien  harboi-. 

Saordy  after  C-ipt.  Bates'  capture,  he  sailed  again  for  Boston, 
(in  auout  the  month  of  Sept.)  in  the  sloop  Sea  Flower,"  of 
ab  jut  90  tuns  burthen,  loaded  with  wood.  On  board,  was  a 
youn2  lady  passenger,  and  a  crew  of  two  men.  At  this  time, 
the  British  Privr.renr,  Sch.  Fly,"  ha  ,1  taken  a  posif'on  in  the 
rc  '.l<read  at  Ow's  H-..-:vi.  *  with  Amf^rican  colors  living  at 

•  .ivrri  flea-i  receiv  t;d  i's  nam ;  from  Gov.  Thos.  I'ownall.  v/ho  in  17-S9 
vii ^-^-i  the  r.-uul.->:.'o;  waf.rrs  iii  the  Pnivince  aloop-ct-wtir,  Kiu.if  George, 
mi.unciu^;  2'>  ^'un=i.    !u  hii  account  he  iiie  sailor?  liaii^iaed  it  tO 

bear  gome  rto*mbI&n«<i  Uj  aa  owi  $  licad  " 


i 


100  SrXTCHSS  OF  THE   I  ' 

her  matt  head  at  a  decoy  to  unsuspecting  coasteri.  After 
rounding  thii  noted  headland,  -with  eyery  prospect  before  him 
of  a  favorable  passage,  Capt.  Bates  wa«  most  unceremoniously 
brought  to  and  captured.  Setting  aahore  Capt.  Batei,  passen- 
ger and  crew,  at  Owl's  Heal,  the  privateer  kepi  her  position 
until  two  other  coasters  were  thus  entrapped  and  captured — 
one  belonged  to  Itlesboro,  and  the  other  was  the  schooner 
Oliver,  of  East  Thom&ston,  *  Capt.  Wm.  Spear  of  that  town, 
master. 

In  our  scrap  book  we  find  an  account  of  the  affair  which 
we  dipt  from  the  East  Thomaston  Recorder  some  ten  years 
since,  which  was  narrated  to  the  anonymous  writer  by  an  eye 
witness.  As  we  have  also  received  the  narrative  from  the  lips 
of  one  of  the  actors  in  the  scene,  we  can  vouch  tor  its  cor- 
rectness. 

"  During  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  that  the  schooner 
was  taken,  the  privateer  made  signal  to  her  prizes  to  get  under 
weigh  and  follow.  The  privateer  standing  on  the  wind 
endeavsred  to  beat  out  of  the  N.  E.  entrance  of  the  harbor. 
Ln  executing  thii  summons  of  John  Bull,  some  two  or  three  of 
his  prizes  managed  to  have  their  sails  hll  on  the  wrong  tack, 
and  by  so  doing,  plumped  them  purposely  ashore  on  the 
beach.  Capt.  Spear  was  managing  to  execute  the  same 
mancEuvre,  when  the  privateer  opened  her  battery,  and 
peremptorily  ordered  him  to  desist  and  tollow,  or  "he  would 
blow  him  out  of  water,"  and  with  relactance,  Capt.  S.  was 
compelled  to  obey  the  command.  Disappointment,  perhaps, 
or  a  malicious  feeling  towards  tiie  shrewdness  of  those  who  had 
eluded  his  grasp,- provoked  the  Capt.  of  the  privateer  to  give 
vent  to  his  feelings  by  firing  a  parting  broadside.  A  spent 
round  shot  lo<Jged  against  ll>e  sill  ot  the  house  on  the  point, 
and  another  bespattering  with  mud  the  ^larmenfs  of  it,5  occu- 
pant, were  the  only  visible  etlecta  ot  this  outward  mark  of 
civility. 

"With  her  three  prizr-j,  flie  privateer  stood  cut  of  the  har- 
bor, and  stretched  aorois  the  bay  towards  the  southern  extremi- 


♦Eaat  rhcma-'ioQ         iucurporutc-ii  aa  a  town  July  2S,  liiS.  In 


HISTORY  OF  €AMDEN.  101 

ty  of  the  South  Fox  Islands,  where,  in  one  of  the  most 
romantic  havens  [White  Island  Harbor]  on  our  coast,  they  ail 
came  to  an  anchor. 

"  The  sun  had  now  set,  and  a  brisk  N.  E.  wind  v?hich  had 
been  ST^eeping  over  the  water  during  the  day,  had  now  died 
away,  leaving  a  long  ground  swell  heaving  in  upon  thii  rock- 
bound,  and  apparently  uninhabited  island. 

"  In  this  secluded  harbor,  in  an-ticipation  of  uninterrupted 
security,  the  privateer  commenced  putting  goods  on  board  the 
•chooncr,  which  were  taken  from  the  other  prizes.  !Not  a 
Yankee  fisherman  could  be  seen  from  the  deck  of  either 
Te$«el^  for  it  may  be  well  to  observe  that  the  inhabitants  of  this 
liknd.  at  that  time,  were  almost  to  a  man,  ilshermeu.  There 
wa«  something  ominous  in  the  silence  which  prevailed  ashore — 
it  leemed  as  though  every  human  being  had  deserted  and  left 
it  a  solitary  Isle  in  the  ocean.  A  small  whale-boat  it  is  trua 
waa  seen  to  enter  the  harbor,  but  was  soon  lost  sight  of  amongst 
the  rocks  and  intricate  windings  of  some  narrow  passage. 
From  this  boat  the  inhabitants  had  been  warned  of  the  prox- 
imity in  which  they  were  to  a  British  privateer.  But  as  soon 
as  the  dusk  of  the  evening  bad  began  to  gather  around,  men 
collected  from  every  nook  and  corner,  with  muskets,  fusee  and 
fowling-pieces,  ready  to  give  the  privateer  battle  at  early  morn. 

"  Morning  came,  and  the  men  of  the  privateer  were  busily 
engaged  in  finishing  the  transportation  of  the  goodg.  The 
fishermen  watched  unconcernedly  the  operations,  having  dur- 
ing the  night  taken  positions  to  best  annoy  or  capture  the 
enemy. 

What  schooner  is  that  ?'  cried  a  voice  from  the  shore. 

" '  The  Sliear  Water,  of  Baltimore  I  won't  jou  come  on 
board  ?*  replied  the  captain  of  the  privateer. 

"  *  No,  but  we  invite  rou  to  come  ashore.' 

"  *  ni  see  you  d  d  first,'  replied  tha  officer. 

"  This  abrupt  answer  caused  a  simultaneous  fire  from  the 
land  <n  all  directions.  The  captain  of  the  privateer  feli  at  the 
first  discbhi-ge,' having  two  bails  shot  through  his  body.  Taken 
so  completely  were  the  officers  and  crew  by  surprise,  that  they 
sought  safety  below,   TTie  boat  in  the  meantime  waa  ordered 


102  SKETCHES  or  THZ 

ashore  and  captured.  In  this  predicament,  many  were  the 
"wavs  and  plans  devised  to  ef?ect  an  escape.  There  was  some- 
thins  painfully  sublime  in  the  idea  that  there  were  seventy-tive 
men-driven  from  the  deck,  and  that  not  a  solitary  being  could 
•how  his  head  without  beiiK;:  shot.  But  as  the  inventive  geniug 
of  man  is  greatest  when  put  to  the  severest  test,  so  in  this  case, 
it  was  put  in  requisition.    The  dying  injunction  of  th«  captain 

not  to  be  takon.''  had  the  effect  to  arouse  the  courage  of  one 
of  the  crew,  who  volunteered  his  ?crvice3  to  cut  the  cable.  In 
executing  this  design  he  Tentured  on  deck,  and  by  creepinjj 
aiong  under  the  hammock  nettinsa,  he  succeeded  in  accom- 
plishing his  object.  But  while  in  the  act  of  passincj  below  the 
halliards  of  th«  jib  and  mainsail,  he  dearly  paid  for  this  act  of 
his  temerity,  for  the  luckless  bullet  of  some  correct  sighted 
fisherman  shattered  his  under  jaw — he  fell,  but  succeeded  in. 
creeping  beiow. 

"  Changeable  as  fortune  had  thus  far  been  to  this  luckless 
vessel,  a  ray  ot  hope  yet  lingered  among  her  crew,  and  an 
esi^ape  wa?  resolved  to  be  attempted.  To  keep  in  cheek  in  lome 
measure  tie  ccntinuei  pelting  which  they  were  receiving,  it 
was  proposed  to  open  a  fire  from  the  main  hatch — but  in  tb« 
first  attempt  to  execute  this  proposition  the  uneering  aim  of 
some  skilful  marksman  caused  a  bullet  to  graze  the  beard  and 
upper  lip  of  the  hazardous  Englishman,  and  lodt^e  in  th« 
comings  of  the  hatch.  This  plan  was  however  abandoned  as 
futile  m  the  extreme. 

"  A  gentle  breeze  and  favorable  current  came  to  their  assist- 
ance, and  by  hoisting  the  jib  and  main-sail,  and  protruding 
through  the  sky-Iiizht  a  bayonet  atuxed  to  a  musket,  (by  which 
device  th«y  managed  to  steer  the  vessel)  got  out  of  harm'i 
way,  and  finally  made  their  escape. 

"  Of  this  gallant  skirmish,  in  which  was  re-captured  three 
vessels  and  a  boat's  crew  of  the  priviteer,  too  much  commen- 
dation cannot  be  bestowed  upon  those  hardy  sons  of  Keptune, 
the  fishermen  sailors  of  Fox  Islands. 

•*  On  boart;  the  privateer,  confined-  below,  were  two  Ameri- 
can prisoner.-.  Their  apartment  wRg  adjacent  to  the  cabin — 
80  near  that  they  could  easiiy  hear  the  groans  of  the  dying 


Captain  and  wounded  seamen.  The  patting  of  bullets  against 
the  wooden  sides  of  their  prison  like  hail  from  soma  distant 
cloud,  with  the  wailins  of  the  wounded  and  dyincr,  caused 
mingled  emotions  of  sorrow  and  extatic  joy.  The  wind  now 
being  S.  'NV.,  the  privateer  shaped  her  course  for  the  Wooden 
Ball,  an  uninhabited  Island  in  the  Penobscot  Bay.  While 
pursuing  her  way  thither  the  lieutenant  allowed  the  prisoners 
to  come  on  deck,  and  perceiving  a  small  boat  at  some  distance, 
they  requested  the  lieutenant  to  hail  the  boat  and  give  them 
their  liberty,  which  request  was  granted. 

"  One  object  in  being  thus  minute  in  this  narrative  is  to 
exhibit  in  his  true  character,  the  Yankee  sailor — one  of  which 
was  taken  from  the  sch.  Oliver,  and  possessed  a  good  share 
of  that  universal  shrewdness  which  charactea-izes  the  Yankee 
nation.  This  man  made  a  request  or  desire  to  see  the  corpse 
of  the  captain.  The  humane  feeling  of  course  could  not  but 
meet  with  approbation  from  the  lieutenant,  who  escorted 
him  to  the  cabin.  Pistols,  sabres,  pikes,  boarding-ax«s,  and 
all  the  minor  implements  of  marine  warfare  were  arrayed 
about  the  cabin  in  such  a  manner  as  to  aid  in  giving  it  an 
appearance  of  wild  embellishment,  while  at  the  same  time 
each  was  convenient  to  the  hand.  Around  the  mast,  was 
placetJ  a  stand  of  muskets.  The  entire  arrangement  proclaimed 
that  the  cabin  was  considered  a  citadel  of  itself.  In  a  berth 
lay  the  corpse  of  the  captain.  There  was  a  latent  expression 
of  satisfaction,  something  modified,  together  with  a  sympathy, 
perhaps,  not  altogether  etfeeted,  as  the  Yankee  stood  in 
presence  of  the  lieutenant  and  his  late  commander.  The 
peculiar  nature  of  man  is  so  constituted  that  sympathy  mani- 
fested even  in  the  breast  of  an  enemy,  so  modifies  revengeful 
feelings  as  to  neutralize  its  bad  ettects.  So  it  was  in  this  ease. 
The .  unfortunate  result  of  the  late  encounter  was  freely 
dlscuised,  the  disastrous  effect*  of  the  fishermen's  fire  was 
pointed  at  by  the  down  cast  looking  lieutenant,  who  thus  gave 
vent  to  the  turbulent  state  of  his  feelings  :  There,  you  can 
see  the]  murderous  de^iju  of  your  countrymen  pointing  to 
some  chart*  which  hun<;  in  becketa  on  the  side  of  the  trunk 
cabin,  and  wiule  in  the  act  of  taking  them  from  their  places 

9 


104  BKETCSSS  OF  THE 

of  eecurity,  two  leaden  bullets  rolled  out  at  hi3  feet  "  O, 
my  God  ejaculated  he,  "  what  a  miracle  that  we  have  thus 
escaped  with  the  loss  of  no  more  lives." 

" 'I  should  think  there  must  also  be  some  visible  effects  on 
the  vessel's  deck,  if  I  were  to  judge  from  the  rattling  of  the 
bullets  and  buckshot  against  the  side  of  the  privateer  from  my 
place  of  confinement,'  rejoined  the  sailor. 

"'Y«3S,  traly,  there  is  evidence  sufficient  to  satisly  th«  most 
skeptical,  for  sixif/-tico  halls  are  hxhjed  in  our  mastSy  ami  sixty- 
-four  can  he  counted  as  having  passed  through  our  mainsail  below 
the  tiL'o  reef  gearings  P 

"*You  have  lost  your  captain  and  received  other  d;^mage 
which  you  charge  upon  my  countrymen.  I  mi^ht  retort  by 
saying,  you  have  taken  from  my  captain  his  vessel — his  only 
means  of  support  to  a  large  iamily.  But,  sir,  it  is  the  fortune 
of  war,  and  we  must  submit  to  the  good  or  ill  which  befalls 
us,'  continued  the  shrewd  Yankee ;  and  perceiving  now  was 
the  time  to  carry  into  etfect  the  object  of  his  visit  to  the  officer's 
cabin,  respectfully  asked  the  lieutenant  if  he  would  restore  the 
PAPERS  of  the  captured  vessels,  as  they  might  relieve  the 
distresses  of  many  a  poor  family,  (not  forj^ettin^  at  the  same 
time  his  heart- felt  sorrow  for  the  bereaved  family  of  the 
deceased  captain,)  the  desired  object  was  accomplished — the 
papers  were  restored. 

"  On  ascending  to  the  deck,  the  boat  was  found  in  waiting; 
and  the  prisoners  stepping  into  the  boat  with  inward  feelings  of 
satisfaction,  the  'hat  was  raised,'  and  a  cordial  salutation  given — 
and  thus  parted  the  rival  sailors  of  the  two  belligerent  nations." 

Shortly  after  the  achievemenf,  the  re-captured  vessels  were 
carried  safely  into  the  places  whence  they  sailed,  and  delivered 
to  their  owners.  But  a  short  time  elapsed  before  the  English 
privateer  was  caj'tured  by  an  Americrn  craft  of  the  same  kind, 
and  earned  into  Portland.  X'apt.  Bates  soon  after  made  a 
trip  to  Portland  in  the  famous,  and  lucky  Sea  Flower,"  and 
with  5urpri.-je  had  the  satisfaction  of  kiyina  alonfrside  of  the 
noted  sch.  Fh  "  to  the  summons  of  whose  guns,  h^  was 
compelled  to  a  surrender  but  a  brief  time  previous.  Ihus 
ends  one  of  the  most  interesting  episodes  of  the  Last  War. 


HISTORT  CM?  CAMDKIf. 


The  Miiitary  Companies— Officers  of  the  Light  Infantry  Company- 
Officers  of  the  1st  Infantry  Company— Officers  of  the  2d  Intantry  Com- 
pany—Cavalry Company — Capture  of  the  English  merchant  eiiip  Vic- 
tory—Brought into  Camden — Her  cargo — Duties— Cargo  sold  at  auction- 
Goods  transported  to  BoS'ton — Damaired  Coffee — Victory  carried  to 
Hampden— A  Stratagem— Levying  of  a  War  Tax — Kobt.  Cha«e  appointed 
IB  Coiiecior — A  humorous  incident — The  tattling  Clock— The  Town  votei 
additional  pay  for  the  drafted  ililitia— St.  C&orge's  Fort  surprised  by 
an  Kr./  targe— Coi.  Footi;  culla  out  part  of  his  Regiineut— (.-uards 
•Litioued  in  Camden— Parapets  erected — Description  of  t!:em — A  laTnent 
at  the  destruction  of  the  oniy  relic  of  the  Last  War— Cannons  obtained 
from  Fort  St.  George  and  planted  on  Mt.  Batty— Barrack— Namw  of 
those  autioned  on  the  ilountain— Guards. 

M BEFORE  proceeding  farther,  we  wtll  give  the 
^    names  of  the  officers  of  the  military  companies 
at  this  time,  as  a  number  of  changes  occurred 
between  the  years  1812  and  1814. 

Of  the  Light  Infantry  Company,  Calvin  Curtis  was  captain  • 
Edward  Hanford,  lieut. ;  Arthur  Pendleton,  ensign;  Wu3. 
Brown,  Ist  sergeant ;  Simeon  Tyler,  1st  corporal.  This  com- 
pany numbered,  (June  23d,)  including  officers,  27.  * 

Of  the  1st  Infantry  Company,  Asha  Palmer  was  captain ; 
Noah  Brooks  lieut. ;  Joseph  Hall  ensign.  Of  the  2d  Infantry 
Company,  (of  West  Camden,)  Sam'l  ToLnaan  was  captain,  and 
James  Packard  lieut.  The  Camden  companies,  as  we  before 
stated,  belonged  to  the  5th  Regiment.  Of  this  Regiment, 
Erastas  Foote,  (of  Camden,)  was  Colonei,  or  chief  in  command,  f 
Of  the  Cavalry  company,  Capt.  Isaac  Barnard  was  captain,  and 
waa  succeeded  by  Philip  Ulmsr. 

In  the  month  of  March,  while  an  American  vessel  belonging 
to  New  YoTii:,  urtd--r  'otters  of  marque  an-i  r_j  ••;  wasci'uiiing 
in  adjacent  waters,  me  fell  in  with,  and  captured,  an  Englioh 

•So  says  the  Pay  Icoll  of  said  Company. 
T  Stateza«!at  of  ilr.  Cobuxa  Tyler. 


106  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

merchant,  ship  called  the  Victory,  which  was  also  sailing  under 
letters  of  marque.  *  After  manning  her  with  a  crew,  one 
James  Scott  was  placed  on  board  as  prize  master,  and  brought 
her  into  this  port.  She  was  moored  at  Peirces'  wharf— just 
h\ck  of  the  M)unt:\in  tlvvuse.  Her  cargo  consisted  principally 
of  cotJee,  cocoa  and  logwood.  It  is  believed  the  ship  was  direct 
from  Jamaca.  Soon  after  she  was  moored  at  the  wharf  the 
owaer  of  the  vessel  that  captured  her  was  notitied  of  the  facts, 
and  in  the  course  cf  ten  days  he  came  on  to  see  about  discharg- 
ing and  disposing  ot  the  cargo.  Collector  Joseph  Farley,  of 
YraMoboro,  save  a  permit  ior  landing  the  cargo  on  the  2Gth 
of  March,  but  as  the  owner,  or  agent,  did  not  arrive  until 
the  oth  of  April,  and  as  circumstances  made  it  requisite  to 
make  a  new  entry,  the  lading  was  not  delivered  until  between 
the  6th  and  I'ith  of  the  month.  Scott  was  for  landing  certain 
articles  without  paying  regular  duties  upon  them,  under 
pretense  that  they  belonged  to  the  list  of  articles  exempt  from 
customs.  Mr.  Farley,  in  his  inatruetions  to  Deputy  Collector 
Curtis,  in  a  letter  dated  the  11th,  said:  "The  Frizemaster 
must  not  land  handkerchiefs  or  anythmg  else  without  entering 
and  paying  the  duties.  The  customary  cabin  stores  and  cabin 
furniture  we  shall  not  exact  the  duty  upon,  nor  upon  the 
wearing  apparel  or  personal  baggage  of  the  oiiicers  or  crew, 
but  G7  I'ag  handkerchiefs  look  too  much  like  merchandise  to 
be  landed  without  permit."  (!)  The  owner  decided  to  sell  the 
carao  at  public  vendue,  and  on  the  day  of  the  sale  quite  a 
number  ot  merchants  from  Boston  and  other  places  were  in 
attendance,  which  made  the  bidding  competition  quite  brisk- 
Much  of  the  cargo  was  deposited  in  the  cellar  of  the  Masonic 
building,  and  in  other  places.  The  goods  bid  oil  by  the  Boston 
merehants  were  immcuiatciy  transported  thither  on  ox  teams. 
This  made  brisk  business  for  our  farmers,  the  most  of  whom 
were  thus  employed  with  their  teams  in  transporting  the  goods* 
The  length  of  time  ihcy  were  employed,  from  the  time  they 
started  until  they  rctiirncd,  was  about  two  cnonths ;  quite  a 
contrast  with  the  preheat  fcU'iiities  tor  transportation  I  Much 
of  the  merchandise  was  dama^.'d  by  the  leak3ge  ct  the  vessel, 
•  Tti%  Victory,  aa  waa  ftfterwartl  ftscsrtained,  bad  on  board  10  caacoaades. 


HISTORY  OP  CASiDBSX.  107 

80  that  purchasers  were  found  among  the  poorest  persona,  as 
well  a3  the  richer  class.  Large  quantities  of  the  most  badly 
dnma-jed  coffee  bein;i  thrown  away,  was  used  in  orchards 
a^x)at  the  trees  in  lieu  ot  coiupost,  for  its  ternliziti^  prop^^' tie.-,. 

After  the  cargo  was  discharged  the  Victory  remained  here 
until  the  latter  part  of  August,  when  she  was  carried  up 
Penobscot  river— at  Hampden — to  be  secure  from  the  reach  of 
the  enemy,  as  the  U.  S.  corvette  Adams  was  there  under- 
going repairs.  But  when  the  enemy  entered  Penobscot  river, 
at  the  time  the  inglorious  "  Hampden  skirmish "  occurred, 
vSopt.  5th  and  Gth.  the  Victory  again  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
English.  By  them  she  was  carried  to  Caatine.  On  learning 
she  was  re-captured,  a  dozen  of  our  citizens  under  the  lead 
ot  Nathl  Martin,  Esq. — one  of  our  most  prominent  citizens — 
formed  the  stratagem  of  re-taking  her  by  overcoming  the  keepers 
by  a  surprise  at  night.  By  some  means  the  English  became 
apprised  of  their  intentions,  and  took  the  ship  round  by  the 
fort  and  adopted  the  necessary  precautions  against  surprise. 
Oar  adventurers  went  near  to  where  she  was  first  anchored, 
and  finding  their  plana  were  frustrated,  the/  returned  home. 

In  1813  a  tax  of  53,000,000  was  levied  by  Government  on 
real  estate  to  cirry  on  the  war,  and  $74,220  was  the  apportion- 
ment to  be  raised  by  the  District  of  Maine.  Robt.  Chase  was 
appointed  as  Collector  in  this,  and  several  of  the  neighboring 
towns.  As  a  general  thing  the  assessment  was  paid  without 
much  murmuring,  but  in  some  cases  the  exactment  came  as 
difficult  "as  the  pulling  of  teeth."  It  was  during  the  year 
181-4-15  these  dut'es  were  collected  in  this  vicinity.  While  Mr. 
Chaaft  was  peribrmincr  the  duties  of  his  office  in  the  town  of 
Appleton, the  following  amusing  incident  occurred:  Calling  at  a 
house  where  the  woman's  husband  was  absent,  he  announced 
to  her  his  business,  and  walked  in.  Sitting  down,  he  began  to 
take  an  inventory  of  the  taxable  articles  in  the  room.  He 
next  inquired  about  the  furniture,  &c.,  in  the  other  part  of  the 
bouse,  taking  the  matron's  statements  for  granted.  Have 
you  any  time  piece,  madam,  besides  that  watch  V-'  said  Mr. 
C,  pointing  to  one  over  the  niantle-pieoe.  '*  No,*'  replied  she, 
"  we  have  no  other  watch,  nor  clock  in  the  house."    As  it  was 

a* 


lOi  ItETCffK*  OF  THE 

near  dinner  time,  Mr.  C.  remarked  that  he  guessed  he  would 
tarry  and  dine  -with  the  family,  as  it  was  some  distance  to  an 
Inn.  Acquiescing  in  his  proposal,  the  woman  tendered  him  a 
seat  at  the  table.  No  sooner  were  the  family  seatedwith  their 
guest,  than  a  clock  in  the  adjoinins  room  with  strokes  loud  and 
clear,  began  to  announce  the  hour  of  twelve  !  The  woman's 
face  began  to  assume  alternate  hues  of  ruddy  anl  pale, 
while  her  dau;2:hter  partaking  of  her  mother's  irrepressible 
emotion,  began  to  grow  agitated  and  cast  furtive  glances  at 
the  stranger,  and  then  at  her  guilt-like  looking  mother.  The 
clock  kept  striking  like  a  faithful  sentinel;  eyes glcfenced  askance, 
but  not  a  word  was  spoken.  When  the  beli-hammer  concluded 
its  iirokes,  there  vsas  a  silence  of  some  moments.  Chase 
continued  eating,  and  seeing  the  mental  perturbation  of  his 
entertainers,  he  deemed  it  improper  to  make  "  confusion  worse 
coniuunded,"  and  so  left  the  matron  to  the  upbraidings  of  her 
own  conscience.  ^Vtter  finishing  his  repast,  Mr,  C.  departed 
without  making  the  slightest  allusion  to  the  fact  there  was 
a  clock  in  the  house,  and  that  it  was  not  entered  on  hia 
schedule.  It  was  always  with  peculiar  zest  and  a  hearty  laugh 
that  Mr.  Chase  used  to  relate  the  above  incident. 

Inserted  iu  a  warrant  for  a  tcrwn  meeting  under  date  of  July 
1st,  wc  find  the  following  articles; — -To  see  if  the  town  will 
allow  any  adilition  of  pay  to  the  non-commi>'sioned  officers, 
musicians  and  privates,  which  are  or  may  be  drafted  for  the 
detense  of  said  town  the  present  year;  it"  so,  to  see  what  aura 
of  money  the  town  will  raise  for  that  purpose."  Also,  "  To 
a-jt  on  anything  else  that  may  be  thought  nc  w^^ary  for  the 
defense  of  said  town,  and  to  raise  money  for  the  same  if 
wanted."  When  t!ie  town-meeting  was  convnaed,  July  yth, 
the  following  a^-ti'Mi  was  had  upon  the  above  ai-ti-  ks: — Voted, 
to  pay  the  Militia  dnifted  tor  the  detense  of  said  town,  So  per 
month  in  addition  to  the  regular  pay  for  two  month  from  the 
1st  of  July  inst,  .sliould  tj;ey  not  be  discharired  sooner." 
Also  vottid.  -  To  r.iiie  SiM't  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the 
'iraited  -vLlitia  oi  f'r.vi:.' 


•Town  Eecords,  p.  2fjo  aud  2*iii. 


HI8T0RT  OF  CAMDBX.  109 

In  the  monEh  of  Julv  a  party  of  the  enemy  In  two  or  three 
barges,  were  dispatched  in  the  night  time  from  two  armed 
ships  lying  at  the  mouth  of  St.  George's  river,  and  proceeded 
to  the  tort  below  Thomaston.    There  being  only  an  old  mail 
and  his  wife  in  the  block-house,  they  nu?t  with  no  resistance, 
and  entered  the  fort.    Taking  the  powder  from  the  magazine 
they  destroyed  it,  and  then  spiked  four  18  pounders,  and  two 
brass  artillery  pieces,  and  set  fire  to  the  buildings,  and  one 
vessel,  and  towed  away  two  others.      They  then  proceeded  up 
the  river  towards  Thomaston,  but  at  the  dawn  of  day,  deceived 
bv  Curtis,   a  young  man  whom   they  compelled  to  act  as 
pilot,  and  wlio  represented  the  distance  much  greater  than  it 
w.t-.  they  abaivloned  fc'.ther  operations,  and  returned  without 
mulustauoa."      So  bold  was  this   adventure,  that  it  excited 
a  general  and  extensive  alarm."*    Col.  Foote,  on  receiving 
the  intclhgence,  ordered  out  a  great  part  of  nis  regiment  to 
defend  this  town  and  vicinity.    These  apprehensions  had  the 
c'Tect  of  inducing  our  citizen  soldiers  to  take  greater  precaution 
in  guarding  against  a  surprise  from  the  enemy.    Guards  were 
6t  illoned  from  Camden  harbor  to  Chun  Cove,  and  the  strictest 
iiilitar\-   suntiilance  maintained.    At  about  the  same  time 
it  was  decided  to  erect  two  fortifications  at  the  Harbor,  one 
on   Jacob's  roin*",  and   the  other  on   Eaton's  Poinc.  They 
■tV'.re  both  erected  at  the  same  time.    It  is  said  that  something 
like  a  hundred  men  were  engaged  in  the  erection  ot  the  torts, 
and  in  two  or  three  days  they  were  completed,  f    The  fortifii  a- 
tion  on  Jacob's  Point,  or  more  properly  speaking,  in  Jacob's 
pasture,  was  situated  about  twenty-  rods  south  west  ol  N.  C. 
Fletcher,  Es<|'s.,  lime  kilns.    The  southerly  ends  butted  against 
the   large   rock  situated    about  midway  between  Mr.  Geo. 
llrxiginan's  house  and  Mr.  Fletcher's  lime  shed.    This  fortifi- 
cation, or  parapet,  was  of  crescent  form,  and  about  40  feet  in 

•  Eaton's  Annalg  of  Wamn,  p.  295;  Wll.  iamson's  History  of  Maine,  p. 
641-642. 

t  There  ia  a  diversity  of  opinion  a.s  to  the  number  employed  in  erecting 
fortr.  and         Icus^iu  of  time  it  took  to  accomplish  the  woric.— 
Having  no  authentic  data  to  rily  upon,  it  ia  imposajble  to  determine 
which  ot  the  cenilictinit  couj<.»cture!j  are  the  nearest  correct.  We  Lave  givea 
the  moat  probable  statexnent. 


110  SKETCHES  OP  THt 

length.  It  was  made  in  part  of  timber  belonging  to  Capt. 
Nath'l  Hosmer,  of  which  he  was  going  to  build  a  vessel,  but 
which  he  was  prevented  doing  by  the  imposition  of  the 
Embargo.  *  The  height  oi  this  fortress  was  8  or  10  feet,  and 
its  thickness  3  or  4  feet.  The  space  between  the  outer 
and  inner  walls  was  filled  with  dirt.  Inside,  there  was  a 
platform  which  brought  the  soldiers  into  so  elevated  a 
position  as  to  easily  rest  their  muskets  on  the  top  of  the 
breastwork.  On  this  platform  were  two  12  pounders  mounted 
upon  carriages,  pointing  through  an  embrasure  each.  On 
.the  northerly  side  of  the  fortress,  wa*  the  barrack  building. 
About  20  rods  to  the  south,  on  the  bank  near  the  shore,  was  a 
guard-house,  from  which  the  movements  of  the  enemy  could 
more  readily  be  seen.  A  short  time  since  we  examined  the 
spot  on  which  the  fortification  stood,  and  had  not  its  position 
been  traced  out  to  us  by  one  who  knew  perfectly  about  it, 
we  should  have  been  at  losd  to  define  the  place.  As  the 
timber  and  dirt  was  hauled  away  some  years  since,  nothing  is 
now  left  to  indicate  the  spot  save  a  few  knolls  and  ridges,  by 
which  the  semi-lunar  shape  ot  the  fort  may  quite  readily  be 
traced. 

The  fortification  on  Eaton's  Point,  (near  the  steamboat 
wharf.)  and  on  Timo.  Femaid's  land,  was  nearly  opposite 
tha  one  above  described.  It  was  about  the  same  size  and 
shape,  and  mounted  the  same  number  of  guns  ot  the  same 
calibre,  and  had  the  same  number  of  embrasurei.  A  small 
portion  of  this  fort  is  still  to  be  seen.  Something  like  20  feet  of 
the  bank  has  been  wa^shed  away  since  it  was  erected.  At 
that  time  there  was  quite  a  wide  space  between  the  fort 
and  the  edge  of  the  bank,  but  the  sea,  aided  by  the  frost,  has 
since  washe<i  a  large  part  ot  it  away.  It  seems  a  pity  that 
the  hand  of  utiiitariani.^m  should  aid  in  the  demolition  of 
the  only  relic  that  remains  to  remind  us,  and  tell  the  passing 
stranger  of  "  the  times  that  tried  men's  souls."'  We  hope  the 
mound  that  stili  remains  to  point  to  the  sire  of  the  fortification 

"At  thia  time  ilsH)  Farnum  llaJ!,  tl^-q.,  liad  a  ship  ot  about  40'j  tuns  on 
the  stocks  nearly  ccmpieted.  She  was  attfcrward  launchetl  without  *uf. 
ferlng  any  moie:«taLioa  tr om  tliQ  enemy. 


"■  1- 


I 


HISTORT  OF  CAMDlIf. 


Ill 


will  be  sujSered  to  remain  for  years  to  come,  to  perpetuate  one 
of  the  most  important  events  in  our  local  history.  Ot  such 
memorials  it  may  well  be  said,  that, 

'•They  are  the 
Registers,  the  chronicles  of  the  age, 
They  were  made  in,  and  speak  the  truth  of  history 
Better  than  a  hucdred  of  yocr  printed 
Communications.'" 

S<5on  after  the  fortifications  were  completed  a  party  of  our 
men  went  down  to  Fort  George  with  a  team  of  several 
yoke  of  oxen,  and  got  one  of  the  18  pounders  that  had  been 
spiked  by  the  enemy,  and  hauled  it  up  here. 

As  it  was  decided  to  plant  it  upon  Mt.  Batty  it  was  too 
diliicult  an  undertaking  to  attempt  to  drag  it  up  the  sides,  and 
80  John  Grose  was  engaged  to  undertake  the  contract  for 
S2j.  a  road  was  cleared  on  the  north  western  slope  of  the 
mountain, — from  near  Timothy  Fay's  to  the  summit,  and  then 
the  18  pounder  and  two  123  *  were  carried  up  and  planted  on 
the  tlat  spot  just  this  side  of  the  Rolling  Road."  A  barrack 
wai  also  erected  on  the  mountain,  and  the  necessary  muni- 
tiors  of  war  provided. f 

The  number  stationed  on  the  mountain  were  six,  vh.' 
Jona.  Leighton,  corporal  ;  Jesse  Derry,  Isaac  Sheldon,  Jas. 
Metealf  and  Robert  Corthell,  privates. 

The  guards  stationed  in  the  town  at  this  time  were  about 
as  follows,  as  near  as  we  can  ascertain  :  The  main  guard  was 
stationed  where  the  Post  Pffice  now  stand, — in  the  old  red 
building  that  formerly  stood  where  A.  E.  C!ark'«  house  and 
shop  now  stand  ;  the  picket  guard  on  Ogier's  hill ;  and  another 
guard  at  Clam  Cove,  The  soldiers  on  dr.ry  at  this  time,  (as 
guards,  and  in  the  fort?)  were  designated  as  ^-the  30  days'  men." 

•  ft  is  believed  the  six  12  pounders  (two  in  each  fort  and  two  on  the 
mountain)  were  sent  here  from  Boston  by  Gen.  Dearborn. 

t  ilay  1,  I'^GT.  an  l.-i  pound  bull  waa  found  on  the  mountain; — belonged 
probibiy  to  the  aror.:-'_i  i  I  -  pounder.  A  few  y<  t -'.n<:e  a  12  pound 
Bli'A  (we  tLiuk)  AHi  i  juiii  in  Jas.  liiehard's  lieid.  a-d  a  few  moniha 
since  a  smaller  giz-;d  ball  v,a3  found  by  workmen  wi:;le  digffinsr  near 
Co!.  Berry's  house.  liie  tvTO  latter,  we  thiuic  it  probable,  were  fired  by 
the  British  during  the  Hevoiu'.ioa. 


113 


fXSTCHS#  or  TKX 


The  U.  S.  Sloop-of-War  Adams— Suns  »ahore  on  the  Isle  aa  Haut— 
Brooglit  into  Camden— Lands  part  of  her  crew  sick  with  the  ecnrvy— 
Prisoners  landed — The  Adams  goes  to  Hampden — British  Ollicers  admit- 
ted to  their  parole— Death  ot  one  of  the  FriBoners— Lieut  Hanford 
marches  the  Prisoners  to  Wise  asset— Fruitless  search  for  the  OtBcers — 
Bribes  a  Pilot  to  convey  them  to  Eastport— One  of  them  re-taken— The 
others  pursued— Overtaken  and  re-oaptured — OiEcors  rise  upon  their 
captor— Releas-:-  their  coaipanionf^— Tate  the  muskets  and  best  boat  and 
shape  theii  counse  tor  Eastport— Keturn  of  our  Party— The  Pilot  »ent  to 
Fortiand— Convicted— Pardoned. 

THE  U.  S.  sloop-of-war  Adams,  of  24  guns, 
commanded  bj  Capt.  Chas.  Morris,  left  Sa- 
vannah in  May,  and  after  making  several 
captures,  shaped  her  course  for  Penobscot  Bay.  As  she  was 
entering  the  Bay  on  tke  1 7th  of  August,  in  very  thick  weather, 
she  nm  ashore  on  the  L>Ie  au  Haut,  and  in  a  critical  condition, 
was  got  off  by  lightening.  She  then  came  to  Camden  for 
repairs,  and  when  arrived  at  the  mouth  ot  the  harbor  lired  a 
signal  gun.  The  water  being  too  shoal,  and  the  port  being 
too  much  exposed  to  view,  it  was  concluded  to  go  up  the  Pe- 
nobscot, both  for  repairs  and  safety- — as  Castine  w;is  then  in  our 
possession.  After  landing  about  25  men  disabled  by  the  scurvy, 
and  about  GO  prisoners,  she  sailed  lor  Hampden,  where  she 
arrived  the  20th  of  the  month.*  The  Adams'  crew  and  the 
prisoners  were  landed  on  Eaton's  Point.  A  -juard  was  set 
over  the  prisoners,  while  those  on  the  sick  list  y-ere  carried  by 
Nathan  Hobbs  in  an  ox  team,  out  to  the  old  Bacon  house,  (now 
torn  down)  opposite  to  where  Capt  Josiah  Hopkins  now  lives, 
where  they  were  nursed  until  they  regained  thoir  he;\lth. 

*  See  TV  hippie's  Hiat.  ct  Arcaiiu,  Pt-uobscot  Bay  aiiu  tiivar,  page  &0; 
Cooper's  Naval  Hist..  pa:.;e  l2ir-V2L;  Will.  IJist.  ot  Mai.ne,  ii.,  tJiS;  also, 
■ee  t-wo  letters  written  ty  Lt  ?ut.  C.  Morris,  AUf?.  at  iiampdec,  in 
the  Bodtoa  JUaiii/  Aclvtrtuer  anU  R*p<riory  of  3ept.  15th,  laii. 


1814 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN. 


113 


Of  the  prisoners,  five  "were  officers,  who,  being  under  a  parole 
of  honor,  ^nsited  the  different  parts  of  the  town. 

A  few  hours  alter  being  landed,  one  of  the  prisoners 
died.  Being  a  hard  drinker,  he  greatly  craved  liquor,  and  as 
he  was  not  supplied  to  his  desired  extent,  it  was  thought  by  his 
comrades  that  his  death  was  occasioned  by  the  deprivation. 
Ha\-ing  a  doubloon  about  his  person,  he  requested  that  it  bd  sent 
to  his  folks  in  England.  After  the  burial,  Lieat.  Edw.  Hanford 
with  an  armed  guard  of  about  80  men,  of  which  Asa  Richards 
-was  orderly  sergeant,  prepared  to  carrj-  the  prisoners  to 
Wisoaiiiet  jail,  but,  contrary  to  their  parole,  the  British  ofEceri 
were  not  present  at  the  stared  time  and  place.  Search  being 
niadt',  they  were  not  to  be  found,  and  so  the  guard  proceeded 
with  the  number  in  charge.  Tney  carried  them  to  Wiscasset, 
whence  they  were  soon  af'-erward  carried  to  Portland,  and 
thence  to  Salem,  where  they  were  exchanged  for  American 
prisoners. 

But,  to  return  to  the  officers.    While  perambulating  the  town, 

they  fell  in  with  one  Allen  T  y,  an  expert  pilot,  whom 

they  easily  bribed  to  consent  to  convey  them  in  a  boat  to 
Eastport,  ^Mien  the  boat  was  in  readiness — just  below  Negro 
T-!and.  it  was  f^and  th&y  had  neglected  to  take  any  liquor  with 
them — an  article  they  deemed  indispensable,  and  so  dispatched 
oae  of  their  niunber  ashore  to  get  a  supply.  Lieut.  Hanford 
having  started  with  the  guard  and  prisoners  but  a  few  hours 
pre\-iou3,  the  search  was  still  being  made  for  the  escaped  officers. 
As  soon  as  the  venturing  officer  made  his  appearance,  CapL 
Calvin  Curtis  was  apprised  of  the  fact,  and  as  he  entered  a 
store  Capt.  C.  approached  him,  and  placing  his  hand  upon  the 
customers  shoulder,  with  an  authoritative  mien,  and  an  earnest 
voice,  he  said,  "  You  are  my  prisoner,  sir !"  The  re-takea 
officer  vainly  tried  to  plead  off.  He  was  immediately  taken 
into  the  custody  of  keepers,  and  marched  on  to  the  main 
guard,  which  was  ovorta|:en  at  Blackington's  comer. 

The  whereatx)uts  of  the  remainfler  of  the  runaway  officers 
being  soon  ascertained,  a  new  and  fast  sailing  boat  beloncring 
to  Richani  Conway,  was  immediately  manned  for  the  pursuit 
by  the  following  well  armed  party :  Capt.  Asha  Palmer,  Richard 


114  SffETCHKS  OF  THE 

Conway,  one  Robbing,  (a  sea  captain)  one  Bro^,  (who 
came  in  the  prize  Victor}-)  and  John  Tarr,  a  young  man. 

In  the  meantime,  the  British  oiHcers  having  waited  with 
impatience  a  greater  length  of  time  than  was  necessary  for 
their  comrade  to  do  his  errand,  they  began  to  suspect  that 
his  proceedings  had  been  checked,  and  thinking  theirs  might 
share  the  same  fate,  they  began  with  the  energ)'  that  impels  the 
fugitive  to  escape,  to  puil  at  their  oars  in  the  direction  indicated 
by  their  pilot.  They  had  proceeded  but  a  few  milesi  when  they 
were  discovered  by  Capt.  Palmer.  The  race  then  began  in 
earnest  Both  parties  plied  their  oars  with  renewed  vigor. 
For  some  time,'  the  distance  intervc-nin'j:  seemed  neither  to 
increase  nor  diminish  :  the  contest  appeared  to  be  an  equal 
one.  But  at  length  it  became  apparent  that  the  pursuers  were 
gaining  on  the  pursued.  The  superior  speed  of  Conway's  boat 
began  to  be  seen  with  alarm  by  the  Britishers.  In  vain  they 
tried  their  utmost  to  augment  the  space  between  their  pursuers. 
The  furlongs'  distance  kept  gradually  diminishing  until  the 
upper  end  of  Deer  Island,  or  Edgemaroggan  Reach  was 
approached,  when  our  Yankee  crew  came  alongside,  and 
commanded  the  objects  of  their  pursuit  to  cease  rowing,  or 
they  would  give  them  a  volley  that  would  bring  them  to  in  a 
hurrv".  The  chase  was  concluded.  "With  but  little  ceremony 
the  re-captured,  prisoners  and  pilot  were  bound  with  cords 
and  placed  iu  Conway's  boat,  under  charge  of  Capt.  Palmer, 
Bobbins  and  Brown,  while  the  other  two  remained  in  the  pilot's 
boat,  with  him  in  the  custody  of  Conway  and  Tarr.  They  then 
shaped  thd:r  course  for  Camden.  The  faster  boat  soon  took 
the  lead,  and  began  to  leave  the  priae  in  the  rear. 

Oblivious  of  danger,  Conway  lai<l  his  gim  on  the  thwart  for 
a  few  moments,  and  stepped  to  the  bow  to  attend  to  something. 

Pilot  T          taking  advantage  of  Conway's  absent-mindness, 

unloosed  himself  from  hn  manacles,  and  seizing  the  gun, 
threatened  to  shoot  Tarr  if  he  did  not  instantly  surrender  his 
piece.  Fearful  of  the  execution  of  tiic  menace,  Tarr  quickly 
complied  with  the  demand.  As  soon  a.s  Tarr  gave  up  Ins  gun, 

Pilot  T          c;^t  iwm  iha  two  Lnglisii  otiicers,  and  handing 

a  sun  to  one  of  ihem,  he  kept  the  other  himself. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEX.  tit 
• 

So  sudden  and  unexpecteii  was  the  rising,  that  Conway  and 
Tan*  were  a-s  much  astonished  as  they  were  terrified  at  the 
issue,  but  deeminir  discretion  the  better  part  of  valor."  thev 
submissively  exchanged  relations  with  the  new  victoi-s  with 
becoming  grace. 

Now  commenced  another  race.  Determined  to  overhaul  the 
other  boat,  and  rescue  their  companions,  was  the  next  thing  to 
call  for  energetic  action  on  the  part  of  th«  released  Entriish 
prisoners  and  their  bribed  pilot.  Their  recruted  .strength  ena- 
bled them  to  soon  come  v.dthin  haiiins  distance  of  the  other 
boat,  and  by  redoubling  tht.-ir  exortio!!.  thoy  were  soon  cnable<i 
fo  come  alongside.  ''Heave  to.  well  shoot  you!"  shoute^l 
one  of  the  officers  to  Cant.  Palmer.  The  rowing  ceased.  It 
Wcis  needless  to  a.sk  any  question ;  the  story  told  itself.  To 
prevent  the  ef?usion  of  blood.  Capt.  Palm.er  surrendered  by 
delivering  up  the  three  guns.  The  two  other  officers  were 
5<.x)n  released,  and  supplied  with  a  musket  each.  Our  men 
were  now  within  the  power,  and  subject  to  the  mercies  of  those 
who  were  their  prisoners  but  a  short  time  previous.  As  their 
object  was  to  escape  to  the  British  dominions,  ail  they  wished 
for  was  the  means  with  which  to  accomplish  their  ends.  So 
securing  the  five  muskets,  selecting  the  best  oars,  and  taking; 
the  most  ^taunrh  and  fa.-t  sailing  boat — Conway's — they  df-av- 
ered  up  their  pilot,  whom  they  had  sulHeiently  used  to  advan- 
tage,— dropped  astern,  gave  their  brother  Jonathans  three  hearty 
huzzars,  waved  theii?  hati  in  adieu,  and  shaped  their  course  for 
Ea5tjx)rt. 

It  must  have  been  with  infelicitous  feeiincrs,  that  our  adven- 
turous party  saw  receding  from  si<zht,  the  h'.rp.xs  of  those  they 
expi'cted  to  bring  ir.ro  port  as  re-*:aT)turr(l  pr'soners  of  war. 
Concluding  to  make  the  best  of  a  bad  expedition,  our  party 
wearily  pUed  their  oars  in  retracing  the  distance  of  the  race. 
As  tliey  came  in  sight  of  the  harbor,  many  ea-ierly  gathered 
on  the  wharf  to  ascertain  the  result  of  thi'  ''hr^.ie.    Only  one 

prisoniT.  Pi|/>t  T  to  be  seen.    C.v'  \:ty  was  at  the 

highest  pitch  to  know  xho  v^hyi  and  whereiores.    As  icon  .as 

they  approa<.'hed  tlu'  ••^nHrt,  T"  was  given  up  to  the  custody 

Deputv  Sheriff  Le^«  Cfy^cr.  a?  bein^  suiltv  ot  treason 
'  10 


116  *KKTCnt8  01  THE 

and  mutiny.  The  particulars  ot  the  achievement  were  then 
recounted  by  the  actors  iu  the  scene,  while  the  crowd  lijstened 
to  them  with  deoj)  attention,  ^r-my  were  the  comments  made, 
ixud  various  the  cc^njecture:?  expressed,  and  opinions  fonned  by 
thosc  who  heani  the  recital. 

Pilot  T  was  ibrthwith  seat  to  Portland  jail  to  await  the 

summons  of  the  Court.  Beinij  tried,  and  adjud.i^od  piilty  ot"  a 
r-Apital  otfense.  hr  was  rvniau'lcd  back  to  piiion  io  abide  the 
execution  of  his  scuteucc.  Rased  tipou  palliating  circum- 
stances, and  the  fovi  that  T          had  a  family  dependent  upon 

him  for  support,  a  petition  was  got  up  by  som.e  of  his  triendd, 
and  circulated  tiiroi"iiio;n  tiio  town.  From  feelings  of  sympa- 
thy, many  of  o'lr  citizciis  signed  the  petition.  Being  presented 
to  the  proper  authorities,  the  prayer  ot  said  petitioners  pre- 
vailed, a  pardon  wa»  grautod,  and  the  decoyed  pilot  was 
returned  to  his  tamily. 


I 

■I 

I 

f, 
I 

r 


HISTORY  OF  CAJtfDSW. 


Uf 


A  British  Squadron  sails  from  Jfalifax— Eaters  Fenobscot  Bbj-— I>c- 
niand  tbe  surrender  of  Cn^-tiue  Fort— Fort  blown  up— Retreat  of  Lieut. 
I.evi  is— Castine  taken  pocf-e.-.sion  cl— Proclamation  is.-\ied— Bdfa«t  occ  i- 
fievl  by  the  enemy— The  Hampden  skirmish— A  ji^.ht  seeing  party 
captured— K-riea^pd—Appreliension  ot  an  attack  on  Camden— Brigade 
Order— Munitions  of  War  lor  liie  Forts— Col.  Foote  s  Regiment  mustered 
—  Individual  actions— 3Ii!itary  Orders— Col.  Thatcher's  itesuiient  ordtTijd 
to  Caiadcu— Belfast  and  other  Compuuies— Additional  military  supplies 
for  the  Parapets— The  hostile  fleet  sails  for  Halifax— Military  Companies 
di<mis«ed— Rations. 


N  the  2»jth  of  August,  (1814)  a  British  expedition  sailed 


from   Halifax  for  the  Penobscot,  *'  composed  of  the 


first  company  of  royal  artillery,  two  rllle  companies  ot 
the  7th  battalion,  of  the  Ooth  regiment,  detachments  from  the 
•iyth,  (j'2d,  and  08th  regiments,  the  whole  divided  into  two 
brigades,  consisting  of  between  3  and  4,000  men,  commanded 
by  Major-General  Gerard  Gosselin,  and  Col.  Douglas,  and  ail 
under  the  immediate  command  of  Lieut.  Gen.  Sir  John  Coape 
Sheri)roke,  Governor  of  Nova  Scotia. 

"  The  fleet  consisted  of  the  Bulwark,  Dragon  and  Spencer, 
of  7i  guns;  the  frigate  Buchaiite  and  Tenedos  ;  the  ship  Sylph 
and  Peruvian  brig,  of  18  guns  each;  and  the  schooner  Picton, 
and  1<»  tran.<ports,  under  th-:}  command  ot  Kt-ar  Admiral 
Kdwar(i  (rn'iiith."  *■  It  was  tho  origin?^!  design  of  this  expf'fli- 
tioa  to  have  taken  .Mvhias  on  their  way  to  Penob-icot.  but  on 
leamiD?^  that  the  C  S.  Corvr-tte  Adams  had  arrivir^d  a  wcrk: 
previous  at  Hampden,  they  pro  •eedt'd  on  th^^ir  cours*^  without 
delay,  with  all  possible  dispal<'h. 

Before  the  dawn  of  day,  on  the  1st  of  September,  the  lieet 
entered  Penobrf<jot  Bay,  and  as  they  passed  along  among  the 
laiaud-s,  tishermen  were  taken  from  their  craft  to  pilot  them 
to  Castine. 


•WhJpple  fl  History  of  Actdia,  pa^e 


118  SITETCHKS  OF  THB 

In  the  ibrt  at  Castine  was  a  garrison  of  about  40  men,  under 
Lieut.  Lewis,  of  the  U.  S.  army.  Soon  after  sunrise,  the 
British  armament  entered  the  harbor,  and  sent  Lieut.  Nichols, 
commaader  of  the  royal  engineers,  with  a  small  schooner  to 
rGCc-rinoiter  the  works,  and  demand  a  surrender.  The  Ameri- 
can oliiCuT  refused  to  obey  the  summons,  and  immediately 
opened  a  tire  from  lour  24  poundors  upon  the  vessel.  Deem- 
ing it  futile  to  attempt  to  defend  the  place  ai^alnst  the  combined 
British  force,  Liear.  Lewis  blew  up  the  fort,*  and  with  his 
men  escaped  in  boats  to  Hampden,  carrying  with  him  two 
field  pieces,  with  which  to  as-iist  in  checking  the  further 
progress  of  the  enemy  up  the  river. 

Castine  was  then  taken  possession  ot  by  Co!,  Douglass,  when 
the  following  proclamation  was  issued  : 

ProdaniatlorL  ^  /  Lic-at.  Gen.  Sir  John  Coape  Slierbroke,  K.  B.. 
commanding  a  ho<bj  of  Jii^  Britannic  Maj'istys  land  forces^ 
and  Edicard  Grir/i'h,  Esq.,  Hear  Adialral  of  the  m<it€,  com- 
mand inrj  a  squadron  of  his  Majc^ffs  shtp.<,  now  arrived  in 
the  Penobscot. 

"  Whereas  it  is  the  intention  of  the  British  commanders 
to  take  possession  of  the  country  lyinfj  between  the  Penobscot 
River  and  Passamanuoddy  Bay,  the  pcaceau'e  inhabitants  of 
that  district  are  hereby  notificl,  that  if  they  remain  quietJy 
at  their  respective  homes  and  carry  on  their  useful  occupa- 
tions, every  protection  will  be  afforded  them  so  long  as  they 
shall  couiply  with  such  regulations  as  may  be  established  for 
their  conduct  and  giiidauce  by  the  authority  of  the  Briiish 
commanders.  All  persons  taken  in  anna,  or  cruployed  in  con- 
■veyir.g  intciligencc  to  th?  enemy,  or  in  assi^-'iiig  him  in  my 
way,  shall  be  treated  accordingly.  Such  of  the  inhabitants  ad 
may  wish  to  avail  themselves  of  the  terms  oilcro  i  in  the  pre- 
ceding part  of  this  Proclamation,  will  be  rt:-<[uired  to  give  up 
their  arms  and  demean  themselves  in  a  qui'.t  and  peaceable 
manner;  ani  those  ^vho  vj?.y  be  wdllnGr  to  si:[<]'Iy  the  British 
forces  with  provisioti.^,  ^v:..  vviii  be  regulariy  p,u.l  lor  the  ani- 

•Quite  a  number  of  our  ciuzens  were  then  on  Mt.  Batty,  -^vnlclling  th« 
oper%tiuud  01  jbe  ilaglLjU.  aud  (lidtiactiy  saw  tUe  exploaicu. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDILV.  ll'^ 

cles  fornLshefl,  and  will  reerlve  everv  encouragenifcRt.  and 
protection  In  so  doing. 

[Signed.]   "  T.  F.  Addison,  M'dilary  Secretary. 

Bu  Command  Ciias.  Martyr,  Naval  Sec'jj. 
"Given  at  Castine  Sept.  1.  1814."* 

An  armed  vessel  was  immediately  sent  across  the  Bay  to 
Belfast,  by  Gen.  Sherbroke,  v?i(h  a  tlag,  informinCT  the  inhabi- 
tants that  they  purposed  to  land  a  body  of  troops  to  remain  four 
days  to  recruit  their  ^rengtb,  and  if  during  that  time  a  gun 
was  fired,  they  would  burn  the  town,  but  if  not  molested  they 
would  peaceably  leave  at  the  appointed  time.  Six  hundred 
troops  of  the  '29th  regiment  wore  then  landed,  under  command 
of  (ien.  Gerard  Gosselin. 

"A  part  of  the  fleet,  consisting  of  the  Dragon,  the  Sylph 
and  Peruvian,  the  Harmony,  a  transport,  and  a  prize-tender, 
all  under  Capt.  Barrie,  carrj'ing  about  500  infantry,  ritiemen. 
or  sharp  shooters,  and  a  small  train  of  light-artillery,  und£r 
Col.  Henry,  John  and  Maj.  Riddle,  proceeded  without  delay 
up  the  waters  of  the  Penobscot,  and  came  to  anchor  m  3>Iar.sh 
bay ;  where  the  shipping  lay,  about  four  or  five  leagues  below 
Bangor  harbor  during  the  night."  f 

The  stor\-  of  the  inglorious  defeat  of  the  Americans  under 
couaraand  of  Gen.  Blake,  is  too  well  known  to  here  require  a 
recitah  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  our  force  was  there  routed,  the 
sloop-of- war  Adams  was  set  fire  by  Capt.  Morris,  her  gallant 
commander,  and  he  and  his  brave  companions  retreated  to 
Bangor,  and  thence  through  the  woods  to  the  Kennebec.  A 
scene  of  pillage  and  wanton  destruction  of  property  ensued 
su^h  as  is  a  disgrace  to  the  English  name.  The  losses  and 
damages  sustained  by  the  people  of  Hampden,  as  subsequently 
ascertained,  amounted  to  ?4 4,000." 

But,  we  will  return  to  the  state  of  affairs  in  Camden.  While 
the  Enghsh  fleet  were  proceeding  up  river,  a  party  of  our 
voung  men,  thinking  to  gratify  their  curiosity,  -K-^-nt  in  a  boat 
with  Capt.  Oliver  r..-ndl<'ian  to  observe  th-  o;:-.\'adoni  of  the 

•  Whipple's  Acadia,  page  01-J2. 

t  WUJianwcra's  History  ot  Maine,  ii.,  G43. 


120  irETCHE3  OF  THE 

hostile  squadron.  While  in  Penobscot  Bay,  making  theif 
observations,  they  "wero  discovered  by  an  approaching  British 
vessel,  which  took  them  to  be  spies,  and  at  once  summoned 
them  to  heave  to.  The  boat  and  spectators  were  then  taiien 
under  charge,  and  carried  to  Castine.  They  remained  there 
several  days,  until  the  town  deputed  Capt,  Laac  lluss  to  go 
over  and  obtain  their  release.  * 

The  following  day  alter  Cwtine  was  taken,  the  presumption 
was  that  Camden  would  be  vl^iced  by  t\M  enemy.    The  alarm 
became  general,  and  in  the  excitement  that  pervaded  this  com- 
munity, qulce  a  number  iouirlit  ^atety  by  Seeing  to  the  more 
inland  towns. 

The  following  Brigade  Order  wass  forthwith  issued  : 
"2d  Bkigade,  llTii  Division. 

"  Camden,  xSept.  2d,  1814. 

'*  The  enemy  have  occupied  Castine  and  Belfast.  The  com- 
manding  officer  of  the  Brigade  considers  the  time  as  now 
arrived  when  it  becomes  the  iudispensible  duty  of  the  Militia 
to  fly  to  arms. 

"  Lieutenant  Foote,  of  the  oth  Regiment,  will  order  his  whole 
Regiment  immediately  to  assemble  near  Ciimden  Harbor  la 
Camden. 

"  The  troops  must  all  be  well  equipped  for  actual  service^ 
and  with  three  days'  provisions. 

[Signed]     David  Payson,  Brigadier  General,  &c. 

'*  The  commanding  ofiicer  of  the  oth  Regiment  directs  the 
above  Order  to  be  forLhwith  carried  into  eilect. 

"  The  tield  and  stall'  oilicers  of  the  Regiment  will  immedi- 
ately repair  Camden. 

"  By  Order  Lieut.  Col.  Commander  5ih  Regiment,  2d 
Brigade,  11th  Division. 

"  Wm.  Caelton,  Adjutant." 
While  the  above  order  was  being  carried  into  effect,  the 

•.\mnr;;^  V..>'  u:iriilx-r  cirr-".'.  t!>  Cnitine  were  tiio  :  : :  lovviD.? :  Alden 
Ba^a.  Ilobt.  r';..4ie,  Simon  Ilimr  and  IVriey  f.  Fike.  iht.-  Enjiiish  were 
deiJiroiui  lor  I'lko  to  remain  a*.a  trJut  lu  their  cause,  a?  h«  waa  a  smart 
and  Tohuat  It'liow,  but  be  wa^  r.-cuher  to  be  coaxed  or  i.ireU,  and  00 
r«turoed  witU  hU  compaaioaa. 


HISTORT  OF  CAMDE?f.  121 

torts  were  put  in  a  more  defensive  condition,  and  the  select- 
men were  notified  to  forthwith  furnish  the  requisite  supply 
of  ammunition,  &c.  We  will  quote  one  of  the  orders,  as 
interesting  information  is  eontained  in  it : 

'*  To  the  Selectmen  of  Camden  :  Deliver  to  Sergeant  Hark- 
ness  6  Cannon  Cartridges :  6  Cannon  Balls  :  6  do.  Grape :  4 
Cannister  Shot :  2  Rammers  and  Sponges :  1  Spoon  and 
Worm :  2  Lmt  Stocks  :  2  part  fine  Stocks  :  2  Powder  horns 
and  priming  wires,  for  the  use  of  the  Parapet  at  Jacob's  Point. 

"C.  Curtis, 
"  Capt.  Commanding  parapet  at  Camden  Harbor. 
"Camden,  Sept.  2,  IS  11." 

At  the  same  time  another  order  was  issued,  requiring  the 
•ame  a?  the  above  to  be  furnished  "  for  the  use  of  the  Parapet 
at  Eaton's  Point." 

On  the  following  day.  Col.  Foote's  regiment  arrived,  "  armed 
and  equipped  as  the  law  directs."  Throughout  the  town,  all 
was  commotion.  Every  one  felt,  and  manifested  a  deep  con- 
cern in  the  anticipated  visit  of  the  enemy.  The  martial 
display  on  the  occasion  by  the  ditlerent  companies ;  the  sound 
of  the  drum  and  fife  as  they  sent  forth  solemn  music  to  the 
tune  ot  Roslin  Castle  or  Boyne  Water,  begat  in  the  minds  of 
the  old  and  young,  feelings  peculiar  to  the  times  of  war.  The 
Alarm  List,  or  Exempts,  composed  in  part  of  veterans  who  had 
Geen  actual  service,  tended  to  inflame  the  military  ardor  of  the 
younger  troops,  and  infuse  into  the  minds  of  the  more  timid, 
feelings  of  confidence  and  resolution.  Matrons  and  maidens 
repressed  their  fears  as  they  witnessed  the  firm  steps  and 
determined  looks  of  their  husbands,  brothers  and  sons,  as  they 
marched  along  the  streets,  keeping  pace  to  the  sound  of  mar- 
tial music.  Boys  and  girls  were  running  to  and  fro,  recog- 
nizing familiar  face?,  suggesting  many  queries,  and  enlivening 
the  jicene  by  their  juvenile  actions.  The  day  was  principally 
epent  in  military-  pnrado,  an'i  towards  night  the  following  order 
was  promulgated  by  the  Colonel  of  the  Regiment : 


"Sept.  3d,  1814.    Capt.  Curtis  will  take  command  of  th$ 


h 


122 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


Parapets  at  Eaton's  and  Jacobs'  Points,  and  will,  for  this  pur- 
pose, take  the  •whole  ot  his  Company  and  his  officers,  and  -will 
have  a  detachment  from  Capt.  Palmer's  Company,  making  the 
force  equal  to  oO  men, — will  station  Guards  and  Pickets,  and 
Sentinels. 

"  Lieut.  Lrooks  •will  a^sscmble  the  residue  of  Capt.  Palmer's 
Company  near  the  meeting  house,  and  arrange  quarters  for 
the  night  for  hig  and  other  Troops. 

"  The  Companies  fiom  Thoraaston  and  St.  George  will  meet 
at  the  Camden  m.eeting  houbC  and  take  (j^uarters  for  the  night, 
also  the  Troops  from  Hoj>e  and  Appleton. 
By  order  E.  Foote, 

"Lt,  Col.  Com.  5th  Peg.,  2d  Brig.,  11  th  Division." 

The  next  day,  Col.  Thatcher,  of  Warren,  in  obedience  to 
orders  received  from  Gen.  Pih'son,  ordered  out  his  regiment, 
and  on  the  Jth  th'^y  were  muitered  m  Warren,  and  prepared 
to  march  at  a  moment's  warning.  At  night,  Maj.  Isaac  G- 
Reed,  with  the  first  batralion,  proceeded  from  Warren  to  Thom- 
aston  and  encamped,  and  the  next  day  advanced  to  Camden. 
Soon  after,  the  other  batt.dion,  principally  from  Union,  under 
Maj.  Herman  Hawes,  followed  them.  Through  the  day  all  was 
expectancy.  As  part  of  the  British  fleet  shaped  their  course 
for  the  western  channel,  the  alarm  was  believed  that  they 
intended  an  attack  on  Camden.  The  Belfast  company,  under 
Col.  Thomas  Cunningham,  Capt.  James  Wallace's  Montville 
company,  and  others  from  the  adjacent  towns,  fearful  the  enemy 
would  land  here,  marched  as  far  a«  Dickey's  Bluff,  (North- 
port.)  and  after  roconnoitering  in  the  vicinity  a  few  hours, 
returned  to  Belfast  To  be  prepared  for  the  emergency,  Capt. 
Curtis  ordered  the  selectmen  "  To  deliver  to  Sergeant  Hark- 
ness  20  twelve  pound  Cartridges:  jO  ditto,  shot,  for  the  use  of 
the  Parapets  at  Eaton's  and  Jacob's  Points." 

As  soon  as  it  was  ascertained  that  thehostile  fleet  intended 
no  demonstration  ag:iinst  this  place, — as  it  sailed  out  of  the 
Bay  for  Halifax, — the  dilForent  companies  began  to  make 
preparations  to  return  to  their  respective  towns.  In  a  few 
hours  the  troops  were  paraded,  and  under  their  commanders, 


HI9T0RT  OF  CAMDEN. 


ISM 


xxxarched  to  the  places  whence  they  came.  The  rationi  fur- 
nished on  this  occasion  were  by  the  selectmen  of  the  severui 
towns,  "  and  the  expense  incurred  as  well  as  the  soldiers' 
wages,  with  the  exception  of  the  volunteers,  was  afterwards 
paid  by  the  State."  * 


♦Annals  of  Warren,  page  29*j. 


124 


f KETCHES  QP  TSS 


Capture  of  Richards  and  Oat  by  a  Briti^b  barjre — Carried  to  Fieher- 
inan'3  Island— A  Repast— Other  Captures— A  >iight  Cruise — Fired  upon 
at.Clam  Cove — Steer  tor  Laij-del!  s  Island — Keraaiu  over  night — Breaklast 
—Purchase  Butter  ol  the  Islanders— Richards  relusea  to  be  hired  as 
Pilot — The  Release — Arrive  in  Camden— The  Aiarm— Militia  Companies 
march  to  Saturday  Cove — The  British  repulsed  bv  Lawrence— They  returu 
and  efect  a  landing — Visit  Mr.  Shaw's  House— Commit  violence  and 
depredations — Visit  Capt.  Fandleton's— Their  couduct— Froceed  to  Capt. 
Crow-'ll's— Their  ac ions— T!ie  Milirary  arrive — Kn^^lish  tlee  totheir  barget 
—The     Skirmish '"—The  amount  ot'  property  destroyed. 

WON  the  morning  ot  Sept.  21st,  Asa  Richards 
^  ami  Peter  Oat*  went  down  to  the  Muscle 
liidges  in  a  whale-boat  to  procure  a  supply 
of  fish  for  our  soldiers  in  the  forts.  Having  loaded  tlie  boat 
with  cod,  hake  and  haddock,  they  shaped  their  prow  for  Cam- 
den. AYhen  abreast  of  Fisherman's  Island,  they  espied  six 
English  barges,  and  a  cutter,  the  latter  of  which  carried  a  one 
pound  swivel,  ■which  was  mounted  on  the  bow.  Discovering 
our  men,  they  at  once  gave  chase,  flichards  and  Oat  polled 
hard  at  their  oars,  to  escape,  but  they,  were  soon  overhauled. 
As  they  came  alongside,  they  inquired,  "  Where  do  you  hail 
from  ?"  From  Camden,"  replied  Richards.  Why,  that 
place  is  taken,"  continued  the  English  spokesman.  No  it 
aint,"  rejoined  R.  ^V'i^hour  an}-  fuither  ceremony,  the  English 
barge  took  the  captureii  l.oat,  and  tov,ed  It  to  Flsheraian's 
Island.  The  barges,  and  cutu-r.  cunrained  about  100  men. 
The  boat  was  soon  disburdened  ot  the  h.;b,  a  meal  was  pre- 
pared from  them,  and  the  marauders  seated  themselves  upon 
the  ground,  and  in  a  chara<"teristic  manner,  partook  ot  the 
repast.  After  tirushin^^  their  dinnci-.  an  .Vmorican  coaster 
approached  within  a  tew  nuit-s  of  the  island,  when  one  of  the 

♦Hia  fatber-s  name  was  alter  the  Gtrmaa  mode,  fix  -  Ott.  Soma 
of  KU  Jcacendaati  spell  it  Ot*. 


.1 


1' 


k 


HISTORY  OTf  CAMDEK.  125 

barges  was  dispatched  in  pursuit  of  her.  She  was  taken  and 
brought  to  the  Island  and  beached.  She  was  a  Rockland 
vessel,  of  which  Capt.  Tho:s.  Crockett  of  that  poit  was  master. 
Shortly  after,  a  "  pinky ''  stern  tithing  craft  irom  the  iame 
place  was  captiucd,  and  setured  in  the  same  manner.  Detain- 
ing Richards  and  Oat  till  the  dusk  of  evening  approached,  an 
English  ollieer, — Lieut.  Robbins, — with  four  marines,  stepped 
into  the  boat  witli  them,  and  ordered  Richanls  to  assist  in 
rowing.  K.  replied  that  being  a  prisoner,  he  should  not  row. 
AVhiic  the  othei's  rowed.  Oat  steered  as  ordered,  for  Owl's 
Head  Lland.  They  next  stood  in  for  Lermond  s  Cove,  (Rock- 
land.) and  as  they  neared  the  shore,  Richards  told  them  they 
were  approaching  danger,  as  the  amllery  were  under  arms  and 
on  guard.  They  then  ceased  rowing  and  waited  for  the  other 
boats  which  were  following  them.  Finding  they  were  within 
hailing  distance  of  them,  they  continued  their  course.  When 
they  reached  Clam  Cove  and  were  abrea.st  of  Jameson's  Point, 
the  splashing  of  the  oars  was  heard  by  Ira  Brewster  and 
Crowel  Jones,  who  were  on  guard  as  minute  men.  As  the 
boat  could  not  be  seen  because  of  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
they  fired  at  random  in  the  direction  of  the  sound.  One  of 
the  shot  struck  an  oar,  when  safety  dictated  the  propriety  of 
keeping  oti  from  the  shore,  a  proper  di seance.  The  barge 
next  ioilowing  soon  after  came  along  and  asked  Lieut.  Robbins, 

"  What  now  ?"     VMiy,  the  d  d  Yankees  are  bush  fighting 

us  I"  replied  he.  "  Pull  fo  your  oars,  boys,  and  get  out  of  the 
reach  of  them,"  he  continued.  The  surgeon  s  boat  soon  came 
up,  and  declared  they  came  near  being  taken.  Oat's  vision 
being  dim,  he  told  them  he  could  not  st^-or  vnth  safety  any 
longer.  Richards  then  t(x>k  his  place,  and  -teered  for  Beau- 
champ  Neck.  After  making  this  point  oi'  land,  (with  the 
expectation  that  they  might  be  overhauled  by  our  minute  men, 
some  of  whom  Vr'cre  stationed  on  the  Point,)  ihey  run  for  Mark 
bland,  hut  made  the  Irreen  Ledge.  They  then  shaped  their 
couri-:e  lor  Laisdcll's  As  a  guide  t-or  the  barges,  the 

Lie'.Kfti.ait  kept  lla^Uitig  ais  pistol  until  they  rf.?.i  ii-.'d  the  Liand. 
Four  oi  the  o'Jicers  acc.juu)anied  Richards  to  rho  house  of  one 
WTia'ing,  whdc  the  rest  rocnaiue^i  in  tlic  boats.    On  knocking 


126  SKETCHES  OP  THI 

at  the  door,  a  boy  inquired.  Who's  there  ?"  Friends,*'  re- 
sponded Richards.  Reco2rnizina;  his  voice,  the  door  M-as  opened 
for  admittance.  The  beds  being  ocenpied,  a  place  was  pre- 
pared on  the  floor,  when  Riclmr'ls  and  the  ofKcers  laiil  down 
to  sleep,  while  the  others  continued  in  tiic  barges.  In  the 
morning,  the  otncers  sent  the  inland  boy  into  the  potato  patch 
to  dig  a  quantity  of  potatoes  for  them  to  breakfast  upon. 
Richards  being  requested  to  superintend  the  procuring  of  the 
potatoes,  was  careful  not  to  give  a  Quaker  measure,"  for  they 
offered  to  pay  a  liberal  price  for  all  they  obtained.  Wishing 
to  obtain  a  supply  of  butter  tor  the  force  at  Castine.  t!ie  British 
ofEcers  agisted  to  nurchasc  all  they  could  get.  After  breakfast, 
the  woman  of  the  house  churned  an  additional  quantity  of 
butter,  making  the  whole  weight  to  amount  to  $45  worth.  At 
this  time,  we  believe,  the  islands  were  considered  as  neutral 
terrltor}-,  and  hence  the  rights  of  the  inhabitants  were  thua 
scrupulously  regarded  by  the  enemy.  A  month  from  this 
time,  they  were  considered  as  in  the  possession  of  the  British, 
33  may  be  seen  by  Gen.  Gosselin's  proclamation,  dated  at 
Castine  the  Sist  of  October.  When  the  company  were  pre- 
pared to  leave  the  Island,  the  oi'licers  were  anxious  to  retain 
Blchards  as  pilot,  as  they  were  going  on  a  foraging  expedition 
the  next  day.  Refusing  to  ac<^ompany  them.  th>»y  offered  him 
five  guineas  for  his  ser\'ices  during  a  four  days'  cruise.  He 
told  them  he  would  not  consent  to  thus  bcome  a  traitor  to  his 
country'  for  any  such  an  offer,  and  would  not  be  bribed  by  any 
pecuniary  inducements  they  might  tempt  him  with.  Finding 
R.'s  loyalty  to  his  country  was  not  to  be  purchased  by  hope  of 
any  reward,  they  remunerated  him  with  a  guinea  for  piloting 
them,  paid  for  the  n<h  they  used,  and  puttincr  a  dozen  oars  into 
the  boat,  (which  they  prnLiibly  took  from  som*^  of  the  prizes 
they  captured,)  they  gav<;  illchards  and  Oat  liberty  to  return 
to  their  homes.  Being  pos'^cssed  of  their  freedom,  they  were 
not  slow  in  exercising  their  strength  on  their  oar>. 

Arrived  in  C;\iud'.-n.  "  at  once  notiii'-l  cc.v  military 
otiicers  of  the  intention  the  ni-irauding  party  lia*i  nt.  landing  at 
Northport  the  ff)llowing  mornin^i-  ♦    Maj.  Jonarh.^u  Al  lison  and 

''5Ut<»m«ct«  of  Am  Blcbord*^ 


HieXOJtY  OF  CAMDEN. 


127 


Lieut  Brooks,  acting  upon  the  advice  giveili,  made  proparattons 
to  march  to  Saturday  Cove,*  Northport,  at  morning'3  early 
dawn.  About  100  mea  volunteered  for  the  occasion.  Messen- 
gers -vFere  sent  to  spread  the  alarm,  and  the  Belmont  and, 
Searsmont  oonipanies  -woro  apprised  of  the  apprehensions,  and 
under  command  or  C apt.  Timo.  Dunton,  of  Searsmont,  a  detach- 
ment started  tor  the  place  designated.  Tlie  1st  Liucolnville, 
or  Cana^m  infantry  company,  ollicered  by  Capt.  Josia,h  Stetson. 
Lieut.  Paul  H.  SteTens,  ensign  Joseph  Palmer,  numbering 
about  37  men,  and  the  2d,  or  Ducktrap  company,  commande'i 
by  Capt.  James  Mahoney,  wa^  mustered,  and  in  rendinesa  to 
march  at  the  appointed  time,  f 

On  the  mornm^r  of  the  23d  of  September.  Zacariah  Lawyencc, 
of  Northport,  descried  two  of  the  barges  approaching  Saturday 
C-ove,  and  suspecting  their  intentions  to  be  hostile,  he  ^liouid-ert'd 
hi^  musket  and  -svent  down  by  the  shore  just  back  ot  where 
Da\'id  Alden  E3<^['s.  house  now  stands,  and  noted  their  mau- 
ceuvrings.  Finding  they  were  armed  and  dressed  in  uniform, 
he  "Waited  until  they  came  within  hearing  distance,  when  he 
began  to  give  otT  military  orders  as  though  ho  was  coumianding 
a  regiment.  He  then  fired  from  behind  the  bushes,  and  dodg- 
ing to  anoi^her  position  he  agaia  repeated  it,  and  thus  by  hiding 
amoQg  the  stumps  and  rocks,  he  made  them  believe  there  were 
<pite  a  number  engaged  in  the  affair.  To  increase  their  force, 
the  two  barges  withdi;ew  to  get  a  reinforcement.  Lawrence  then 
waded  into  the  water,  and  there  he  exchanged  shots  with  them, 
until  they  were  beyond  his  reach.  La%vrence  then  came  run- 
ning up  the  bank,  and  apprized  Alban  Elwell,  W(->t  Drink- 
water,  Solomon  Frohoek  and  David  Alden  of  what  he  ;  tad  been 
doing,  and  urged  them  to  got  their  guns  and  be  ready  to  give 
the  enemy  a  reception  in  case  they  should  repeat  the  c-iperi- 

*  Sarturdaj*  Core  deriveti  its  name  frvom  the  following  circiuastance* : 
Iq  the  year  ITJJ,  wfiiJe  ttie  Hr^t  settler  cf  Belfast— James  Siiiler— was 
moving  hia  Ikmily  from  New  Hampsliire,  the  vessel  atrived  at  its  sup- 
rosed  de?n'nation.  But  when  the  to,r  cl-^ar^l  away,  tho  ortor  was-. 
diccovere'i  :  they  wiira  in  the  p!ac*suL.?enueiniy  known  a^-*  is'ortliport.  As 
the  day  ot  their  arrival  was  on  Saturday,  they  called  the  iBi^tiikca  locaHts' 
Saturday  Core,  which  namq  ii  haa  ever  since  retuia«u. 

»  ^tatemens  ot  iU.  Wca.  Eola,  ©f  LinwlnvUle.  Oted  Smith,  aud  oth«r«. 


•5:' 


128  SKETCHEg  OP  THE  * 

ment  of  attempting  to  land.  Slwrtly  after,  another  barer*  was 
added  to  the  nuraber,  and  the  crews,  consistino;  of  about  30 
marine?,  headed  by  Lieut,  llobbln?,  effected  a  landinL'.  "vvhen 
La^.rrence  and  EUvelL  who  tried  to  annoy  them  by  liring  a 
few  shot,  were  compelled  to  retrt^at  betbre  the  £Irc  ct  the  swivel, 
and  the  di-char:::e  of  ^nns.  One  of  the  swivel's  one  pound 
sh'-.r,  loiljed  in  ihe  dwelling;  of  Cnpt.  Amos  Pendleton,  and 
another  in  '"he  house  or  Joue.s  Saavv-,  Ecft.  Withou:  farther 
re;i:::?.nce.  they  marched  to  I\Ir.  S)iav»''s,  armed  with  swords, 
piitols  and  £jun^.  when  the  fcmals  in  the  house  lied  with  fright 
to  the  bu;ho5.  a  v  rods  distant.  Approa/hin-z  Shaw,  they 
accused  I;:m  oi  '  'Iuj:  concerucd  wnk  LaWi->^;r^c,  and  denying 
the  charge,  they  jave  him  a  shiiking  and  cuihng,  knocking  his 
hat  oti.  Mr.  S.  h.aring  a  store  in  the  basement  of  his  house, 
they  dem-inded  entrance  to  it  by  prcfsenting  a  gun  at  him. 
Promising  to  open  the  door  a3  soon  as  he  couid  untastea  it,  as 
it  was  bolted  on  the  inside,  he  went  into  the  house  to  comply 
with  the  order,  when  the  marines  m.ade  a  forcible  entry  through 
the  windows.  i'luuderiniT  the  store  of  several  articles  of 
clothing,  such  as  trowsers,  shirt-,  stockings,  hats,  &;c.,  which  he 
had  aot  time  to  secure,  they  emptied  a  barr<:l  of  .iye  scuff,  and 
then  took  r\Ir.  ."'•kaw  oris ;;aer,  and  marched  hiui  with  them 
around  the  ne;Ld>borhood.  In  the  meant  inie,  those  in  one  of 
the  barges  kept  amusing  themselves  by  firing  shot  from  the 
swivel  at  the  ko'.ises.  * 

They  then  v;cat  to  the  house  of  Capt.  Amos  Pendleton,  and 
as  they  entered  one  door  Capt.  P.  fled  out  of  the  other,  and 
while  tieeing,  ih'  y  fired  at  him,  the  ball  passing  through  the 
leg  of  his  trow-..  r-.  Tlic  brcakf:u,t  t.ible  bt^i^g  in  readinc-s  for 
the  family,  tlii- I'l.  rauders  tal  down  and  finished  a  meal,  and 
then  ransa'^ked  the  lioiisf",  taking  thffefrom  a  valuable  watch.* 
a  pocket  book,  containing  papers  of  value,  hat,  boots,  a  quan- 
tity of  provi>ion:^,  ftu-'i  l)edding.  Tlicy  then  went  to  Capt. 
Aaron  Cro  .veil's  f  house,  mmI  used  insuliing  language  tr  Mrs. 
Crj'Vj'k  w!:o      :en*"d  it  in  a  wor-.i.i'ily  <ry!o.    Seeing  some 

of  hi«  watch  au<I  .-i  ma  orh«r  thinji^g 
t  Capt.  Crowftii,  ai  ij«  iJsrom*  u».        ta«ia  in  I>artmo«>r  pn»on. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN.      ^  129 

clothes  in  sight  Mrs.  Croweil  bad  "^orn  to  a  we'.lding  the  dav 
previous,  they  took  them,  and  some  leather  there  Tvas  in  an 
adjoining  room,  and  then  proceeded  to  ano'uer  liou^e,  Tvhere 
thev  ripped  open  be;b  and  seatrered  the  feathers  to  the  "svinds  : 
and  thus  they  continued  to  vk;c  the  houses,  coiniiiitiing  sin-i!ar 
a;-tioas,  until  one  of  their  number  who  was  on  2:nard,  apprized 
them  of  the  approach  of  our  military  ccn-.panies.  They  at 
once  iled  to  th^ir  barges,  and  iusc  as  they  get  aboard,  the  Lin- 
colnvilie  eouipanies  made  tht-ir  appearance,  and  began  to  tire 
at  them.  Tv'hile  the  marauders  and  the  troor  s  were  exchanging 
their  voilics,  the  Camden  company  arrived,  and  began  to  open 
a  s^dciced  tiro  upon  thorn.  :daj.  ^Vihon,  iidl  of  irolic.  turned 
his  back,  and  bade  tliem  hit  him  If  ihicy  couhL  The  barges 
kept  up  a  fire  from  the  swivel  and  guns  unci!  they  got  beyonfl 
the  reach  of  harm. 

The  marauders  proceeded  to  Long  Island,  and  landed  close 
by  the  old  Baptist  meeting  house,  (near  Capt.  Geo.  AVarren's.) 
where  they  began  to  wash  blood  out  of  their  boats,  soon  alter 
which  they  started  for  Castine.  By  the  time  the  skirmi;?h  " 
wa3  over,  other  troops  arrived,  making  the  wliole  number  thus 
called  out.  amount  to  between  two  and  three  liundrtd.  "Witli- 
out  b^-ing  honored  wdth  any  scars,  our  soldiers  returned  trcni 
the  almost  engagement."  with  the  satisfact'cn  of  knoring  that 
they  checked  turther  depredadons  by  their  tin.ely  arrival.  The 
pnetext  odered  by  the  British,  was,  that  they  were  in  search 
of  smugglers  whom  they  thought  they  saw  enter  the  Cove. 

The  damage,  and  lo-s,  sidfcred  by  the  citizens  of  Saturday 
Cove  on  the  above  occasion,  amounted  to  betwe*3n  ifJou  and 

*  cc.-'-ra.i  yc.;;s  L:>er  the  war,  a  teafariDg  ma'u  Loai  Liacolavi'lo,  [as 
iir.  Levi  i:uil.<.-..'i  iulurms  ns)  cluiuced  to  coai:' ac rcsi  one  oi  ciio  oiiicc-rs 
coucci-ue  1  in  tue  ajose  incursion,  aed  ;a  convers  ;;.:  about  it  Him  Uiiiua 
_rvmaa-k3i.  it  pr.,v(d  to  be  ;iti  ex:!Li.ii',-e  txiJ-Mi. iuu  to  Lis  ccur-try- 
Uien.       a  of  thv-ir  iive3  dcatiy  luid  iha  I  j.i'ijit  on  the  ccca.^i^^u. 

Oar  icii::\  ■.v;-"C!  'Ii-^  oi-iwion  tiuc  iuvoru;  of  fiie  hxulj  vrtro  k'hvd,  Iv.t 
tLi/  !;-.;r        r         j.  rM;::'  -  ... 

abov e  •  6~v.:>ii''..."  u;  '.  i  ..  jju-.id  in  iLr  ilej>ort  •-•i  i.'iO  ComraitU-e  oa 


130 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


Foragin^f  Partie? — A  Briti-'h  Privat«er  attempts  to  rmt  Clam  Cove— 
The  naexptcttd  reception  they  received— A  fire  opened  upon  the  Patri- 
ots—The eiiemy  conclude  to  depart— A  waggish  ijergeaut— Playa  tricks 
upon  a  miLute-man — Tries  aiiother  and  "catches  a  Tartar  " — arauggiing — 
Letter  ol  Collector  Farley  reiatin^j  to  the  Kml*rj?o  Act.'j,  kc. — Suspected 
Smuggler*— A  party  prepares  to  intercept  them— Ihtj  later  iiilorifiat ion'— 
DiibaEded— DiBappointment. 

U WHILE  the  British  were  m  pcsseseion  of  Cas- 
^  tino,  the  dwellers  on  the  western  shores  of 
Penobscot  Bay  were  frequently  harrassed 
by  foraginsr  parties  in  the  manner  narrated  in  the  previous 
number.  A  history  of  the  occasional  repultses  they  met  -with 
from  our  outraged  citizens,  is  not  the  least  interesting  of  the 
incidents  of  the  period  under  review. 

Illustrative  of  tisese  occasions  la  the  following  rencounter* 
which  occured  at  Clam  Cove  in  about  the  month  of  October, 
we  chink. 

The  British  privateer  called  the  ^  Thinks  I  to  nivself,"  of 
about  CO  tuna  burthen,  iiad  been  ravaginf^  the  sparsely  settled 
places  along  the  coast,  and  anchoring  abreast  of  Jauaeson'a 
Point,  it  dispatched  a  liarge  to  j>iliage  the  inhabitants  dwelling 
there.  The  intentions  ot  the  privateer  being  surmised  by  our 
people  residing  in  that  vicinity,  it  was  not  long  before  a  small 
number  of  hardy  \eou-ien  and  sea-gcmg  men  collected  together 
ready  with  their  gun>»  and  earnest  to  giva  them  a  reception 
if  neceiiiry.  As  the  barge  began  to  approach  the  shore,  shot 
began  to  whiz  around  the  oarsmeu  thick  and  fa::t.  Every 
large  rc  k,  i-tump,  and  clump  </  bushes  seemed  to  belch  forth 
the  loau-n  L:.i;,  aivi  the  ioraging  pcirfy  were  compelled  to 
hastily  r^jturn  to  the  privateer.  The  "Thinks  I  to  myself" 
aoon  began  to  open  a  tire  from  her  twelve  pound  cannons,  but 
it  savored  so  much  like  beating  the  air,      the  lirjt  Yankee 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN.  131 

could  not  be  seen,  that  they  soon  ceaied  wa^tinfr  their  pow(i>?r 
and  balls,  to  res^-rve  them  tor  a  time  v.'hen  there  would  b;i  a 
probability  of  doing  soiBe  execution.  It  is  iras  they  made  ;i 
few  perfor:aioii3  in  a  Iiousa  near  by,  but  that  neither  hurt  voc 
kilijd  any  one.  Tiij  Yc-nkees  kept  blazing  a'.vay  froj:n  bthiu  i. 
their  plioss  or  defense  until  ihe  privj,tecr  captain  and  one  o: 
the  oiiiccrs  got  their  arms  maimed,  as  a  reminder  of  dang-^ri 
and  £3  an  indication  of  the  fact  that  tbcio  must  be,  some 
toierible  good  rn3.i'k5a2en  someichere,  aIihouj:ii  they  wer:;  z^ot 
to  be  seen.  'DjeLni:^^  if  rather  d^ni/er^as  to  r'.  \l\id.n  unso;.n 
foe,  and  con^iilerinp;  it  the  bettdr  part  o:  ■  ■ . ...r.-d on  to  j_-(.5 
b&y:.nd  tiie  reiicn  of  d:j  shot  ct'  the  Ciam  L\/.-e  patriots,  they 
soon  «jGnc]a]ed  'o  -  ;'i-dv:i-.7  from  their  u;;- ioiiraijie  posLfion, 
-which  tiiey  shcruy  did,  by  returning  to  C  .s-;:;e. 

A  v.-ap;  ii  a  T7::g  the  whole  world  over.  WLal'ev'er  his  rela- 
tion or  p:.idon  i-a  iue  may  be,  he  cannot  tociuiy  repress  ic.i 
inherent,  and  latent  proclivities  that  are  v?;dd:i  him.  •S.:c!i  i\ 
character  aad  propensity  we  disco \'er  in  person  of  the 
orderly  sergeant  who  was  stationed  here  wiih  our  minutc-i:  ^-'u 
at  ibe  time  of  winch  we  are  wridn;^;.  Jeremiah  Berry,  (.f 
Rockland)  is  the  individual  to  whom  we  ref^.T.  To  test  t'ln 
vigi;anc9,  try  the  courage,  and  ascertain  the  qualiiications  of 
the  minute-men  on  guaird,  he  occasionaliy  used  to  resort  to  j 
sporcive  inclinations. 

One  dirk  ni,^ht  while  Jo3.  Stanford  was  d  ,-chargin;r  hb  d-irv 
as  minute-man  on  Eaton's  Point,  Berry  ca-ae  along,  and  in  a 
familiar  manner  said  to  him,  *'  Come,  foiiow  racf'  Not,  thi*':''ig 
of  the  rigidness  of  tae  milirary  dis'dpl^ce  u  .  icr  which  he  was 
placed  a  niiuute-maa,  S.  at  oiico  obcycf;  f'.c  Siimmcr-i  \l 
follovrcd  Bcrrv,  v/ho  lei  him  into  thj  ,rr  .  :;s  a^.d  had  Idm 
lochi^d  up  until  n;crning,  when  he  was  br^jc  .hi:  fjrth  a3  bcmg 
reprehv.::3ibie  of  a  brt  uch  of  military  o-dv'i-~-by  leaving  hiri 
poet  v»d thou t  conforming  to  the  rules  of  hi>;  v.\don,  and  repri- 
manded therefor  by  the  superior  odicer. 

Succeeding  in  v-r:,ri  easily  throwing  Stinl'^rd  off  his  guar;!, 
the  same  night  he  triod  the  ru,?e  upon  bim  .a  Tyler.  Ap- 

•  Statemtiuta  of  Mr.  ira  Br«w»UT. 


1S2  SKETCHES  OP  THE 

proaching  Tyler  without  saying  a  word,  ho  was  hailed  by  him, — 
*'  Who's  there  ?"  The  rounds,"  replied  B.  "  What  rounds  ? 
•'The  grand  round."  "Sergeant  of  the  guard,"  shouted  T., 
"  advance  and  give  th?  couritersifin."  Nol  knowing  the 
countersign,  (as  Le  belonged  to  anotVicr  iruard,)  B.  began  to 
advance  wI:hout  sayino:  anything,  when  T.  commanded  him  to 
"  Stand."  Ho  kept  approaching,  when  T.  cocked  his  gun  and 
leve'led  it  at  him.  ]>.  paused,  and  said,  "  Ycu  know  -na©  !" 
*•  No,  I  know  nobotly  in  the  night."  Standing  where  he  was 
coaimanddd  to, — 33  he  feared  the  execution  of  the  guard'* 
orders,  he  was  presently  taken  und«ir  charge  of  the  sergeant 
of  tha  gu:=.rd,  and  marched  into  the  barracks,  where  he 
remaiaed  until  morning,  to  the  Amusement:  ot  the  guards.  * 

During  the  t.me  the  English  were  at  .C^^stine,  there  was  a 
great  amount  of  smuggling  done  between  the  places  under 
Britiih  dominion  and  those  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United 
Siatei  Small  boats  were  sutiered  by  the  Custom  House 
oHicers  to  pass  unmolested  to  and  fro,  when  the  object  was,  to 
procure  the  simple  commodities  of  every  day  use.  Collector 
Jos.  Farley's  secret  instructions  to  his  InipecLor  at  this  port  are 
now  before  us,  wherein  the  above  exceptions  are  made.  As 
tha  letter  contains  items  of  interest  bearing  upon  this  subject, 
and  is  worr.hy  of  preservaiion,  we  will  quote  u.  Although  the 
letter  bears  date  of  January,  its  instructions  were  enforsed 
at  this  time  : 

CoLLECTOii's  Office,  Waldoboro,  > 
8th  Jan.,  iiU.  y 
"  Capt.  Calvix  Cuktls — Sir:  I  have  received  your  letter 
relative  to  the  Embargo,  -kc,  &:c.  I  have  been  necessarily 
absent  for  some  time  pii-,  and  have  not  had  cy  pojtunity  of 
writing  to  all  my  Inspcccing  Officers.  Mr.  Hoibrook,  however, 
directed  you  to  ^top  all  v&sfcli>,  and  in  doing  so  you  have  done 
right.  If  any  pergon  should  have  felt  hiuiself  agrieved,  and 
wanted  immediate  relief  he  ought  to  have  coni.!  lierxi.  I  have 
concluded  :o  clear  out  ve;scli  whose  employmtn'  unirbrmly 
been  connned  to  the  navigation  of  i>''i.'yi,  sounaa,  ricers  and 


HISTOBY  OF  CAMDEJf.  133 

lakes  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  U.  S.  to  any  port  or  place 
between  Cape  Elizabeth  and  Castine.  Such  vessels  must, 
hovrever,  first  give  bond  "with  two  or  more  sureties  in  a  sum 
equal  to  S300  per  ton,  and  will  then  be  entiiled  to  a  general 
Ptrmlsshn:  they  may  then  proceed  on  their  co3.-?ting  business 
•within  the  limits  aforesaid,  provided,  they  produce  a  manifest 
and  enter  and  clear  oach  trip.  We  must  not  however  clear 
out  provisions  or  uinnitians  ot  war  m  large  quantities  to  sus- 
pected places  within  the  limits  aforesaid,  nor  at  ail  if  the  war 
yesi'^ls  of  the  enemy  are  known  to  be  hovering  on  the  coast. 
♦  *•***** 

"  As  it  respects  the  small  craft  that  visit  your  harbor  for  the 
purpose  of  going  io  uiiil  cr  carrying  home  a  tritle  of  provisions 
for  their  own  use,  I  think  we  may  sulier  this  kind  of  intercourse 
to  continue  as  usual  until  we  see  somethmg  in  it  that  looks  sus- 
picious, but  certamly  all  vessels  large  enough  to  have  papers 
must  be  under  the  restrictions  of  the  bond  as  aforesaid.  We 
must  spare  no  pains  in  carrying  this  law  into  effect,  fully  and 
fairly,  and  if  any  j-erson  is  disposed  to  growl  or  grumble  under 
your  administratio:;  of  the  law  at  your  port,  you  can  send  them 
hexe,  and  say  to  them  they  shall  have  every  indulgence  in  my 
po5Yer  to  jzrant  con>ist;erit  with  the  letter  and  spirit  of  the 
law — but  vbe  law  must  b»5  enforced  with  ri'ior,  where  I'.ccr  23 
made  necess^ary  by  the  ubmnacy  01  auy  pen-son  wiih  whom 
we  may  have  to  deal. 

"  If  any  vessel  v.ith  a  register  or  sea  letter  should  call  at  your 
port,  you  will  stop  them  and  send  them  here  if  they  are  not 
aire-idy  cleared  out  unrler  this  law,  vessels  in  the  service  ot  tha 
revenue  excepted,  and  except  also  vessels  belonging  to  foreign- 
ers that  may  have  just  arrived  from  foreign  ports, 

"  Thi  fees  are  the  same  as  under  the  old  Embargo,  viz: — 
For  every  Bond,  40  crs. :  General  Permission,  20;  Clearance, 
(above  io  tuns)  '>'j ;  ditto,  (under  50  tuns)  2^  ;  for  every  certi- 
ficate ot  the  landing  a  car<;o,  if  the  master  requires  it,  20  cti. 
"  Yours,  &c.,  &c., 

•'J.  Farlky,  Collector." 

At  the  period  previously  glanced  at,  a  report  wa*  circulated, 
that  a  boat  "^as  up  on  th«  Ddliugham  shore,  loading  with  beet 


i 


134  SKETCHES  OF  TBX 

and  other  provisions,  destined  to  supply  the  English  ships 
t^hich  T7ere  anchored  in  the  Bav.  Col.  Fcote  at  once  took 
measures  to  have  tho  supprie:)  intercepted.  No  time  Tras  to  be. 
lost:  a  CGiDpany  ci'  tha  soldiers  on  duty  -was  to  be  di?pal:hcd  at 
once  io  apprehend  the  jrJractors  of  our  •vreil  hno'^n  war  regu- 
latioiii.  It  wafi  ensign  Joseph  Hall,  it  is  believed,  who  r/as  to 
head  the  party.  When  they  Tvere  prepared  to  march,  Col. 
Foote,  rec-jiving  later  isformatlcn.  countermanded  the  order 
he  had  given,  ar.d  the  company  was  at  once  diibanded.  The 
Col.  was  very  much  exciied  v/hea  he  gave  the  counter  order, 
and  the  men  were  equally  as  nrach  displeased  in  having  their 
plans  frustrated  in  so  su:r,nuiry  a  ir.anner. 

It  afterwiiid  appearc-.i  d.^i:  ils  CliCx^cI  Tras  scme-what  inter- 
ested, pecuniarily,  in  thd  trantaciion,  and  hence  his  anxiety 
to  check  the  expedition.  Tramc  with  the  enemy  being  per- 
m'tted  to  a  certain  extent^  (as  seen  by  the  letter  above  Cjuoted) 
it  was  presumed  that  in  this  instance  ihe  interpretation  of  the 
Embargo  act  would  sanction  the  affair- 


HISTORY  09?  CAMDEX. 


135 


The  interception  of  Smnjeier-— An  armed  crew  «r.uer  Maj.  Ncah 
Miller  capture?  an'Ergiish  1.-173 — iircv.  .:h?  to  Canaden— C":ar;20  tracsporred 
to  W&rreu— Tue  S!cop  secreted  ii>  St.  btorge's  liiver— iiiller'a  C'ciTirnis- 
•ion— [NoTS;  The  prir.a  soIJ  and  tbe  prooei  ds  divide''. ";— The  British 
frigate  Furieuie  dispatcbed  to  CaniJf  n — l-ainiiic:;  leave  Town — A  Has,'  cl 
truca  ient  ashore — The  summons — A  Ciii/reus'  Jlpetinf^  called — Coiniiutt«6 
chosen  to  "wait  upca  Cera.  Moimcey — A  Colicquy — Au  IiiCidcnt — lioj!*.:!s;t8 
left  on  beard — A  requeit  i'cr  aid  ?ent  to  Warrtn— A  aifi'eiecct!  betwuen. 
Cols.  Fooie  and  Thatchu-r— .Mnj.  iic.-a'i  I'.attnliun— Nuufuer  of'irov.j^— 
Squire  Dorichv's  Story— An  Alarm— The  Mountain  Guaid— Col.  T'cure's 
calculations  to  rttreat — Anecdote — The  frigate  sails  with  the  hostagta  ou 
beard- ilaj.  Wilson  lired  at— Tlie  Military  Companies  dismissed— ihe 
hcsta^cg  return— Action  ot  the  Town  on  rewarding  them— Feaca  pro- 
claimed—Deraonstrationa  of  joy— A  day-  of  Thanksgiving  appointed— 
Britiih  evacuate  Castine. 

MNOT  the  most  agreeable  to  the  enemy  at  this 
^  time,  was  the  interception  of  smugglers,  who 
were  rendering  them  ai(i  and  comfort,"  by 
supplying  them  with  provisions,  and  other  necessary  stores. 
But  \^hen  valuable  British  prizes  were  eap!ured  by  a  in^re 
handful  of  oar  hardy  fishermen,  then,  the  annoijancc  T^as  lelt 
even  in  Britain  itself.  -  The  damage  thus  done  their  commerce, 
was  perhaps  one  great  cause  of  the  early  trrnainatioa  of  the 
■war,  for  it  was  ur^^ed  in  the  British  ParlhiMient  as  a  strong 
reason  for  its  spee-ly  conclusion,  "  that  Uv-  Yankee  ti»uinir- 
boat.-e  were  capturing  many  of  their  most  v:.luable  merchant- 
men.'' In  illustrariun  of  these  remarkf,  is  the  following 
interesting  leaf  of  history  ; 

During  the  latter  part  of  October  an  armed  crew  from 
Northport,  under  ilaj.  Xoah  Miller,  *  went  in  a  "  reach- boat/*  + 

•  Ti.e  loliowin^  per-OL  ui.  >iicuted  the  crew:  V*  i;.-:  i>a miiwattir,  Kiiua- 
bury  Duuciin,  Jonathan  ^.  .urk..  SiunT  Duncan,  and  Joan  Duncan.  Ths 
two  tirst  named  of  the  crevt'  ure  tl:e  only  survivors'. 

t  It  ii  generally  stated  to  have  b€feu  a  wbtUa  butit,  ^y^U:h  i«  errosecua 
however. 


186  SSSTCfiE^  OP  THE 

on  an  evening  cruise  in  Belfast  Ba^,  for  the  purpose  of 
detecting,  and  preventing  supplies  being  carried  to  the  Brit- 
ish at  Castine.  They  cruised  all  night  between  Belfast  and 
Castine,  but  captured  nothing;.  In  the  morning,  on  the  1st 
©f  ^November,  -  they  descned  a  British  sioop  at  the  eastern 
end  of  Long  liiand,  standing  up  the  Bxy  towards  Castine. 
Thev  at  once  started  in  pursuit,  and  overhauled  her  at  Turtle 
Head  t — about  six  miles  from.  Caslice.  VViien  -within  a  proper 
distance  they  tired  a  gun,  and  ordered  the  B4i!:k>h  captain  to 
heave  to.  "  This  he  at  nrst  ri^fused  to  do,  tbr-tdrer.ir.g  them 
very  violectly,  and  ordered  them  to  be  cif.  Bur  IMiiier  was  a 
man  or  undaunted  courage  and  perseverance — he  was  not  to 
be  deterred  from  his  purpose  by  mere  thr^ati.  He  immedi- 
ately ordered  his  men  to  row  alon:;;side,  and  to  board  the 
sloop:  this  they  did  virith  a  rush."  J  The  vessel  was  soon 
ascertained  to  be  the  sloop  Hilary,  from  ilalitas,  laden  mth  a 
rich  cargo  of  bale  goods,  valued,  per  invoice,  at  -^iO/JOO,  Capt. 
Benj.  Darlincr  Hiaster,  and  C.  Waters  (or  lucWaters) 
supercargo,  bouad  for  Casfme.  The  sloop  was  under  a  convoy 
until  near  Long  Island,  at  the  losrer  extrecnify  of  which  they 
became  separated,  (the  weather  being  foggy,)  the  lornatjr  sailing 
up  the  west  era  sidL*,  and  the  latter  passing  up  the  ea:»tern  side 
of  the  Ijland. 


•There  i?  a  discrepanc/  amon^  our  dilisrent  authorkies  as  to  the  data 
ol  the  occurrence;  yiUs'  We^lily  RpgistiT.  oi  Nov.  liJ.  fajs  it  occurred 
on  the  Sl.it  ot  October;  affidavits  of  Miiler'3  crew  in  ia-i  •'  l:eport  ot  th3 
Commtttee  ou  Cluiras,"'  iu  1/  \'or  of  ••  West  DrinkTs-pt'T  aad  others,"'  £ay 
It  wa-S  oa  the  liih  of  NovcniLer.  w!ii;e  the  Libei  i!;  same  Keport 
says  it  wtis  on  Mn  of  tl^:'  niontli;  Eaton  a!-?  ."n  Annuls  oi 
'Warren,  pa^e  '-Oj^  aiiirmi  it  v;  i>ave  been  oa  tl  e  i  t  •  2.ov.  As  ti:e 
latter  a;<reei  vrith  o:iier  acc^untj  Lave  exaniint!-,  ;i  v.  t[:e  time  of 
eventa  that  grew  out  ot  thj  •      :-:ic[;<^u,  v,a  shu^i,  i.  ;    .  of  such 

corresponiience.  cou.-ider  it  aj  •.ae  correct  date  dt  ii;,:        : .  ■  ..ins. 

■t  This  noted  Ltadiaud  GCTiv>id  itj  njtmcj  from  C-.  .-  rownall  at  th« 
time  Owl"^  Head  v,  'i>  named  bj  him.  iio  says  "  Abu..:  uto  tlie  ridg* 
eaU<»d  iIe;:ui:riceo.T  L'-ffit*  the  bcalli  point  of  an  Is.ui.', .  jies  length, 

-vrise  in         lUiu.;  i:,.;-.  .-.^  uiotH,  12  ni;,j-  .    .  is  called 

Lon^  i-^lauu.  i  i:'^  r.ortii  poii  l  iiUiu  i'.:ts  sattpe  vvi,i..._.  ,.  iruin 
sea  exactly  r./i'-iiiDlii:^  a  turtic,  w  caiied  Turtle  Head.  ' 

I  Extract  from  a  Ittter  ot  Ho;;.  J  :  eijli  ililler.  of  Liac  itvjile,  ia  the 
Biiiftit  Rttrpiibiinn  Journal  Gt  Ani.  »,  l^ii. 


I 


i 


HISfORT  OF  Ci-MDHN.  137 

Soon  after  the  sloop  was  taken  charge  of,  the  eupercargo 
offered  Miller  £lO,OOi)  for  her  ransom,  bat  his  crew,  with 
whom  he  had  agreed'  to  go  shares,  protested,  and  indignantly 
refused  any  such  consideration.  The  captors  run  the  vessel 
for  Lit.l;-  Il.irbor,  (in  Xortbport,)  vrhere  Miller,  at  his  re- 
quest, Tras  set  ashore  -with  the  supercargo,  and  "  king's  agent," 
intendirscj  to  iGturn  aboard  at  Lincolnville.  Wc'^ers  and  hia 
compiinion,  it  appears,  soon  after  started  for  Cartine,  to  give 
the  aiarm.  Miiier  proceeded  to  Ducktrap,  at  the  store  of  John 
Wilson,  for  advice,  (he  havingr  no  comrDissien  from  govern- 
ment.) when  Wilson  advised  him  to  apply  to  Major  Philip 
Ulnner,  vrho  ^as  deputy  inspector  of  the  customs  at  that  port. 
When  the  sloop  arrived,  Ulmer  went  on  boarc,  and  declared 
her  to  be  a  prize  of  the  United  States.  Miller  then  proceeded 
by  land  to  Camden,  while  Ulmer,  (who  was  an  old  sailor)  took 
the  helm,  and  guided  the  vessel  thither.  As  soon  as  the  vessel 
approached  the  whari  in  this  town,  she  was  boarded  by  Josiah 
Hook  of  Castine,  who  was  the  collector  of  Penobscot  district, 
(but  who  wa?  on  the  western  side  of  the  Bay  because  of  the 
occupancy  of  Castine  Dy  the  British,)  and  ottier  revenue 
offijer^j,  who  at  once  seized  the  sloop  and  cargo,  and  declared 
them  forfaited  and  confiscat^id  to  the  United  States.  The 
cu*'om  l  ouse  oihcers  at  once  ordered  the  cargo  to  b^  unloaded, 
and  transported  on  teams  to  Portland,  via.  Warren  and  New- 
castle. The  prize  reached  here  about  11  o'clock  A.  M.,  and 
by  3  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  cargo  was  unshipped,  and  on  the  road 
to  Warn;n.  The  cargo  con3i>ted  principally  of  sarins,  laces, 
•  bawis,  clothes,  clorhs.  <!cc.  All  the  teams  in  this  vicinity,  and 
some  from  the  adjoining  to^s  were  brought  iafo  requi  ition 
to  expf  iir.tj  the  tracsportarion  of  the  goods. 

Afier  the  cargo  was  discharged,  our  8e]^*tmen,  EJfiprehend- 
ing  danger  ia  permitting  the  sloop  to  remain  in  this  vicinity, 
CiTereu  Jona.  Clark,  Sam'l  Duncan  and  lungsbury  Duncan, 
$5,00  t:a"h  if  th^y  wonld  take  the  vessel  round  to  St.  George's 
river     vl  th-'ro  h  -crete  h'-'.r,  iivbich  they •  accord-iiiuly  <iid. 

M'ii' r  no'  hivln-T  been  invested  with  legal  authority  from 
the  Uuited  Slates  government  to  capture  the  enemy's  prizes, 
laid  h.'njelf  liablo  \£t  th©  inOiction  of  tho  ho4\-icst  ol  penalties," 


138 


8EETCHZS  OF  THE 


SO.  in  order  to  give  tbe  sanction  of  legality  to  the  transaction, 
Collector  Hook  made  him  out  a  revenue  commission,  ante- 
dated 15  days,  so  as  to  cover  the  time  of  the  capture.  Miller 
doubtless  presumed  that  tbe  coraiuisiion  he  held  as  Alajor, 
clothed  hiin  ■with  the  authoritr  he  assumed, — such  "was  the 
belief  of  the  crew.  The -prize  was  afterward  sold,  and  the 
proceeds  divided  between  tbe  United  States  and  those  con- 
cerned in  the  capture. 

But  the  at: air  did  not  end  here.  Upon  thp  arrival  of  Mc- 
Waters  and  tbe  ^-king's  agent''  at  Castine,  the  frigate  Furieuse,t 
of  33  guns,  Capt.  MouDcey  commander,  was  dispatched  for  this 
port 

Our  people  were  apprehensive  of  the  reyilt  of  the  capture 
of  the  prize,  and  quite  a  number  left  town  that  night  with 
their  families,  and  eiiecta,  for  places  of  safety.  In  the 
morning  ot  the  2d  of  November,  our  citizens  were  apprised 
of  the  approach  of  the  hciliie  frigate  by  the  raising  of  a  tlag  on 
the  mountain.  At  this  signal,  many  more  began  to  leave 
town.  One  lady.  (Bathsheba  Thorndike,)  in  her  flight,  had 
the  mlstbrt-ine  to  brc-ik  one  of  her  legs  ;  another  while 
fleeing  in  a  chaise,  imperiled  her  life  by  the  badness  of  the 
roadi-  So  great  was  tbe  number  that  tied  the  town,  that  it 
might  properly  be  said  that  Camden  was  evacuated. 

At  about  1  o'clock  P.  M.  the  Furleuse  hove  to,  just  outside 
the  Ledges.    Lieut.  Sandon  was  dispatched  in  a  barge  to  the 

•Tbe  sloop  acd  car^jo  were  sold  at  auction  in  Portland,  in  Jan..  1315, 
for  S-lS.TSi*}  54 :  the  expen--f9  attendics  the  confiscation  and  both  gales 
bein?  S3.3-'>i  31,  the  net  prcceecU  were  -^^'j-ii^  34  Ot  ttiis  sum,  ono- 
h&if,  (3;3.2i3  17;  was  pwiJ  into  the  trettt^ury  ot  the  United  Sratf,  and 
the  other  moiety  was  divided  as  foliows:  Miliar  and  Hook,  #14,106  5^ 
each,  and  th«  Loaf:?  cre.v  ibciore  mi^iitioiied)  Sl,i»3  apiece.  Accordin^^ 
t*  tbe  afndavita  of  =overal  ofthe  crew,  ^laj.  Ulmer  alse  received  S1,000. 
It  appears  that  Mi'.ler  apf.^ef?d  to  f!;o  equal  H.hares  with  hh  men,  but  when 
the  rpoilt  wer<?  divided,  they  were  rewarded  as  above.  Tiie  injustice 
tLos  doBe  the  cre-.v,  'vn^*  considered  by  the  d4*!i  Congress,  in  a  Report 
prepared  by  llou.  E.  Kuowlton,  a?  one  ot  tlse  Committeo  on  tlaiiui,  and 
a  Bill  '-as  re^o-ed  m  t!i-r  tav.^r,  bv  ^-Lich  ;  NTarch  31,  ]s^.'3i  the  survivors 
and  the  htirg  ofV.it  otsier-.  ,utt;;a  cr-.-'V  ;,:.d  refunded  to  them  the 
moiety  {.aid  to  aovernin-nt  ::i  vi^:      j  '21',  17. 

tTb»  F^i^ic•u^?  had  n  cart'-jred  irjiu  the  Frenf*b  by  tlis  English, 
tad  -wi*  a  Frer;h-L  ii;t  ffigat«.  ' 


HISTORY  OP  CAMDEX  139 

shore  "with  a  white  flag.  The  barge  was  met  by  a  boat  froor 
the  shore  with  a  flag  of  truce,  on  board  of  which,  was  Collector 
Farlej,  .Col.  Foote,  Lieut.  Russ,  and  others.  The  summons 
sent  by  Lieut.  Sandon,  was  to  the  etfect  that  if  the  prize,  or 
380,000  was  not  delivered  to  Commodore  Mouncey  within  a 
limited  length  ot  time,  Lincolnvilie  and  Camden  would  be  laid 
in  ashes.  A  citizens'  meeting  was  lorthwith  called .  to  see 
what  course  should  be  pursued  by  the  town.  C?.pt.  John 
Pendleton  was  in  favor  of  paying  the  re<|uired  sum,  bat  Oakes 
Perry  was  opposed  to  the  measure,  and  said  the  enemy  might 
burn  the  town  if  thay  pleased,  for  the  amount  deicanded 
would  pay  for  all  the  houses  they  might  destroy.  It  wi?  viecided 
to  choose  a  committee  to  wait  upon  Com  Mounoey,  ami  inform 
him  that  it  was  absolutely  out  of  the  power  of  the  town  to 
comply  with  his  demand,  as  the  goods  were  carried  into  the 
countr}',  and  the  sloop  placed  beyond  reach.  One  of  the 
selectmen,  Eobt.  Chase,  we  think,  and  Col.  Foote,  v^-as  then 
dispatched  in  a  boat  accompanied  by  eight  others,  to  carry  the 
messase.  As  the  boac  came  alongside,  Lieut,  Kobbin?,  (men- 
tioned by  us  in  a  previous  Number,)  recognized  Asa  lUchards 
among  the  number,  and  exclaimed,  Halloo,  there's  our  pilot !" 
While  the  Commodore  was  engaged  in  conversation  wiih  Chase 
and  Foote,  concerning  the  aflair,  Lieut.  Robbins  took  Ricbanis 
aside  and  otiered  him  a  sum  of  money  it  he  would  reveal 
where  the  goods  were  secreted.  "  I  don't  know  where  they 
are,"  replied  Richards,  "as  they  are  scattered  ail  (.ver  the 
ccuntrv",  and  a.s  for  collecting  them  together,  it  would  be  as 
impossible  as  it  was  to  collect  the  bones  of  Capt.  Cooic,  which 
were  dispersed  over  the  Sandwich  Islands." 

We!l,"  replied  the  British  otHcer,  *'  we'll  not  ask  yea  about 
the  goods,  if  you  will  only  tell  us  where  Miller  is !" 
*'  I  couldn't  answer  that  question  either,"  responded  ii'chards, 
but  what  would  you  do  with  him  in  case  you  should  catch 
him 

"  Whf,  we*<l  hang  him  for  a  pirat'^  !"  was  the  rt't>'y.  The 
conversation  was  ne.^t  turned  to  the  cariiions  upon  the  mountain 
about  which  the  orfii  ors  made  a  num'aer  of  remarks,  aiM  scouted 
the  idea  of  thtiir  doinu'  any  execution,  whif-h  our  Yan\.«c  sailor 

12 


140  SKETCmiS  OF  THE 

dU  not  a^ree  wiih,  hiU  thought  the  twelve  and  eighteen  pound 
shct  thty  mi:2ht  send  011  a  message  could  convince  them  of  the 
opposite  oui'iion. 

While  Foote  and  Caase  were  in  the  cabin  talking  with  ]?sloun- 
cey, .?  row-boat  havin:.^  something  in  tow  v^as  approaching  the 
harlx)r.  Imagining  the  appearance  looked  suspicious,  a  cannon 
was  discharged,  sending:  a  shot  athwart  her  bow,  when  the  boat 
Cccvsed  rowing.  A  spy-glass  soon  shewed  that  the  supposiaon 
was  ungroun-lt'd,  as  it  proved  to  be  llios.  Gilkey  and  one 
Pendleton,  from  one  cf  the  adjacent  Islands,  who  were  towing 
a  raft  of  logs  to  Camden, 

The  Commodore's  interview  with  the  committee  not  beinsr 
satisfactory,  he  rclea-  jd  them  with  the  promise  ihat  they  would 
return  an  answer  by  f)  o'clock  P.  M.,  or  leave  some  hostages 
on  board.  Ti;e  re(niest  was  absented  to.  It  appears,  (accord- 
ing to  Whipple's  Acadia,  page  102,)  that  application  was  made 
to  the  District  Judge  to  know  if  he  would  order  a  delivery,  but 
he  returned  his  negative. 

■  No  answer  being  obtained  by  the  set  f-me,  Ben;.  Gushing 
and  K  I'bt.  Chase  vrent  on  board  to  fulhll  the  agreement.  It 
being  quite  late  when  th.c  conl^jrcnce  was  cone!':  led,  t-iey  were 
detained  on  board  utitii  morning.  The  next  day  being  rainy, 
ihey  kept  them  aboard  until  the  following  morning.  One 
aufhori'.y,  (Annals  of  Warrvu.page  -I'M.)  asserts  that  the 
selectmen  ''obrain',d  a  delay  of  three  days  to  consider  the 
matter,''  while  the  two  hc^t3ges  remained  on  board. 

In  the  meanrime,  Col.  Foote  sen>  an  order  to  Col.  Thatcher's 
regiment  tor  a'  l.  Our  com.vanles  m  town  were  under  arms, 
and  the  remaiii'ier  ot  C>:.  Foo^t regiment  was  being  mustered. 
In  a  =i:-,y  or  Vio  his  i\*a];,'eLi-;'_-nt  wa-:  l  oiloeted.  A  battalion 
under  Isaac  G.  Utt;d,  of  Waldob'^ro,  comprehendin<j;  the 
companies  from  ^^arren.  Union,  Waldoboro  and  Frienddiin. 
sCHDU  atojr  arrived  ;  and  it  is  believed  there  was  a  battalion 
from  bylfa>t  here,  of  which  M^j.  Noah  r\li!li'r  was  commander. 
Hut  we  presume,  be  w.i;<  not  in  comtn  ii;d  of  '\t  iiron  this  occasion , 
;ii  a  rcvoVkfd  >  f  iij  Guc  .;  i  f  )  tiu^  Britisa  Jcr  bis 

anpreliension.  >',mu^d  TnatcliLir  came  wiih  the  '>\'arren 

company,  au'l  ,'^3  h-;  was  approaching  the  place  where  Col, 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEy.  141 

Foote's  re^nment  was  p3r;vlti?g,  r'Klinu  upon  a  beantifal  v/hlu) 
horse.  Col.  Fco^e  in  pleasant  sarca«>ti  thus  a<i!.lrf:s.-e<3  his  iiien  : 
No",  prepare  for  the  worst,  for  her'^  come?  IKM»:ii  rivlm-.r 
upon  his  paie  horse  !  '  It  wUi  be  refollectc-i  by  the  oMer 
p!'-riioi;  Of  curroaaer.^.  th-ix  tUrso  two  commanders  were  inemhera 
cX  th^  Car.  Darin;;:  a  forensic  <iiouUc^^icn  between  them  some 
timt:"  previou5>  th(;y  !iad  an  altercation,  which  terminated  iri  the 
iVi-'A  u:^r'  of  canes,  .ind  in  a  j^'uijseouent  aheniiion  of  te<:li;!^s.  . 
It  is  said  that  this  esmniement  was  the  cause  of  the  foi  m.atiua 
of  the  new  bri^i.lc,  ^v'.ich  we  mentioned  in  a  tbrin^T  Number, 
of  ^hi.  li  Foc'^e  became  colonel,  while  Thatcher  remained  chi.et 
in  oommind  of  the  oMicr  p.u-*j.,:u  of  the  or^aniz't-ion. 

;0on  a-  Md.  Reed's  bartalion  arrived  ni  the  viiI:iL'>\  Coi. 
Foote  aesigucd  places  for  them  on  Ogier's  IliH.  whlcj  h'.s  own  ^ 
reiriment  (p.iarroreil  in  the  old  Tdccting  Iloase. 

M-ij.  Herman  II.iwj  (ot  Warrcfi)  was  prep;\red  with  a  bat- 
tnlion  to  march  here  UT-ion  receiving  orders. 

We  cannot  state  the  number  of  troops  that  v.'ere  mnstereil  at 
tics  time  in  ^own.  but  an  old  resident  states  that  in  platoons  tiiey 
t'Kteu-k- 1,  (while  marcliinji,)  tvoax  the  o;<i  Mceiinjc  House  'lo'.vn 
a<  tar  as  the  Mciianticook:  Iloase. 

S  p-iire  Dorithy  ot  '^c.l'jwick.  havin'j^on\e  business  to  attend  to 
here,  in  tlM"  capa.-ity  or  jw-tice  of  il-e  [a^a-'c.  came  in  a  sn;aU 
boat.  While  approachincr  the  harbor  he  wrus  la-oauht  to  by  Com. 
Mouncy,  who.  on  ascertaining  his  Tieajcabii-  crrund,  det-iincd 
him  long  enough  to  make  him  promise  to  rep.>rt  to  huu,  on 
return,  the  condition  of  the  town  and  tiie  strength  ot  tiie  toicc 
under  arms.  Atter  attending  to  his  crrana,  S(pure  J>oriUiy 
starred  to  return,  but,  before  he  left,  he  caii  i  at  Mr.  l:i;ttoa's 
hon:-e,  and  while  there,  with  the  assistanen  oi  ecii^rs,  concocted 
a  ?t.;ry  fo  leli  the  I>riri-h  commander,  to  the  eire.-t  that  the  road--* 
were  iineil  wit'i  so!<!iers,  the  clrnrch  w;.5  ih!:.  and  at  the  dis- 
charj:e  ot  the  mounrain  guns  tiiey  ■7.-:,u'.>[  collect  together,  and 
with  od-.er-a  v.- ho  wn.-  awa-'ting  the  »:mn  iVcjua  the  back 
tovN^'  C  be  pr^rcn-ed  u-c  bard.'.     Oa  hi  rar  i  trip,  the 

S(|uire,  in  eonipiianee  with  his  pr:eni-\  -e  e;..  .  lo  iaiorni  the 
inquisitive  Commodore  of  the  b>rinldaide  aivp .    ■auec  v, resented 


142  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

in  the  town.  Taking  his  asseverations  for  granted,  Mouncev 
thanked  him  for  the  information,  ani  permitted  him  to  proceed 
home.  * 

The  time  approaohlng,  -which  IMouncy  set  for  the  adjustment 
of  the  capturing  affair,  the  conviction  prevailed  among  the  troops, 
and  throughout  the  town,  that  the  hostile  frigate  would  soon 
begin  to  execute  the  menace  ot  burning  the  place.  In  the 
night  of  tlie  same  day  on  which  the  Warren  company  arrived, 
an  alarm  gained  credence  that  the  English  were  preparing  to 
land  a  force  near  Spring  Brook.  A  portion  of  Major  Reed's 
battalion  was  quartei'ed  for  the  night  in  the  Wm.  Carlton  house 
and  barn,  and,  as  one  of  the  number  informs  the  writer,  they 
had  just  began  to  feel  the  soothing,  eiiects  of  -Nature's  sweet 
restorer, — balmy  sleep,''  when  the  drum  broke  their  slumbers  by 
'■the  roll"  being  called,  when  every  man  was  retpiired  to  hurrv 
into  the  ranks,  and  prepare  to  repulse  the  invaders.  When 
they  were  on  the  point  of  starrin£r,  the  order  to  march  was 
countermanded  by  the  inteliigence  being  received  that  it  was  a 
false  alarm.  As  the  jaded  soldiei*s — the  most  of  whom  were 
raw  recruits — again  sought  for  the  refreshment  of  repose,  they 
not  only  cursed  loud  but  deep,  at  being  hoaxed  for  nothing, 
and  thereby  being  deprived  of  sleep. 

At  this  time,  Capt.  Curtis  with  several  others  went  upon 
the  mountain  to  see  if  everythiiig  was  ready,  and  prepared 
for  action.  He  found  that  only  one  man.  (Joua.  f.eighton,)  was 
at  his  poit, — and  he  was  asleep  ;  while  his  comrades  were  absent 
at  a  husking.  The  sleeper  was  soon  aroused,  shortly  after  which 
the  remainder  of  the  L'uard  returned,  an<i  were  repiimanded 
for  not  Kjing  in  their  places. 

The  foliowmg  day  Col.  Foote  was  much  excin^d,  apprehend- 
ing an  attack  npoa  the  town;  and  riding  over  to  the  parapet 
on  Eaton's  Poin',  he  a<ldressed  Lieut.  I[;.iiiord  thus  :  Siiouid 
the  English  attempt  to  land,  repel  them  if  vuu  can  ;  but,  should 
you  be  I'uder  the  n^  ce^sity  of  retreating-,  make  iicod  your  retreat 
to  Hop*',  where  you  will  find  me  at  Simon  Barrett'--?."  Going 
down  to  Jacob's  Point,  he  expressed  himsulf  in  the  same 

*  Staiemeai  of  Mri,  Lucy  Eatoo. 


I 


{ 


HTSTOr.Y  OF  CAArDT!^.  113 

manner.*  It  i?  stated,  but  with  how  much  truth  we  canno^ 
say,  th-it  on  his  way  to  one  of  the  parapets,  ho  met  an  o;U /cr 
with  >ome  files  in  his  hand,  when  he  a''''0>teil].;ui  :  \V!i\t  are 
vou  uoin--  to  do  ivith  those  fiU^^  r"  "  riii  uoinix  ^'->  the 
wit'i  th  'ni.  it  we  have  to  lea'-'e  the  tleris."*  ••  Vv'eil,  it  you 
have  to  resort  to  that,"  rejoiued  Foote,  joeos'-iy.  '-you'll  f;;id 
me  out  baeic  o'  Simon  l>arretL's  !>arn." 

Tiie  general  anrieipaiioti  v,-  s  that  the  Bi  il'-'h  man-of-v/ar 
v%-ouhl  bombard  the  pl;iee,  and  nL2Te:-able  was  the-  di-.ipnciut!n(Mit 
to  our  citizens  v/h.en  this  suspense  was  dJssipated  on  Suuiiay, 
Nov.  Uth.  by  tlie  saibuL;  of  the  bj.tiie  ship. 

ThInkin-.T  their  obje-'t  iniLr'at  therc';y  be  attaiuf'^b — of  reeovcr- 
Jn--  the  v-idue  of  thj:  prize. — ,he  vw*;  ho^ra'je-;,  e.I  ' --rs.  i'in.-e 
and  Cusiun;^,  were  carried  to  C  \stine  in  the  iVi_:ate.|  A;i  the 
Furieuse  wa5  saillni^  abreast  ilie  Diilin^^haiu  ahort',  2>l3j.  Wi;:-0'.i 
niounte;l  on  a  horse  w  is  ri'bnx  in  the  roa^i  diiOs-tly  o.-no  i  e 
the  farm  house  now  owned  by  3[r.  Henry  Kniulit.  and  va'arin;! 
trie  uni'orni  ot  liis  i-anlc.  it  was  doui.'tle-s  thou-dit  lie  wordd  nuke 
a  very  20od  mark  from  his  oon-oir nou^nes^,  an  1  so  one  oi  the 
irijiL^fs  iunuere  lircd  a  cannon  shot  at  him.  Falling  ^liort  ofdrs 
o.>j*.*ct,  th  j  bill  burrowed  itself  in  tho  earth  a  few  (t-et  di  .t-nir, 
w!;: -h  cau-ed  the  ^daj'-a' to  quicken  his  speed  to  save  them  the 
priv-'ivj-e  of  repvatinj  tlie  dau'f-'i-ous  .^nort. 

■Soon  .i\x;^c  thj  liv-'pirture  of  tlie  war  s';ip,  the  several  milit.rry 
corapanies,  alter  tarryiri^  here  fjr  a  iii^ht  and  ir;  of  tvvo  d.'v  s, 
were  dismissed,  aber  whlfdr  the  villa'j;e  as>uiued  its  wonierl 
quiet.  All  the  soldiers  now  remaining.  w^>re  ti\e  minute  men 
and  those  stationed  in  the  fort. 

-  There  are  different  versions  of  tJiis  story,  -.vhi /h  ti-  •  i..:>;;<ioaI  0])poncnt« 
of  the  (  jl'iiie!  n--'G  iV  ■i-'"tly  to  relate  wi.en  ir -  li.c.l  thsir  purposed. 
llaviDi?  our  v..;r.:ioii  tv.-,-,^  -  .v-r:il  v,-I;o  heard  hira  tx.i::,'  t.'ie  reni.irk-(  «t 
the  time,  we  arc- c;j-i;p  h  til,?  co-rect  -^r-tenuiur.    ,-iinoii  Carrelt  aivl 

Foo'.e  w..r- oil  very  ir.-nii.re  term-,  and  heiK-e  tliv'  ry.'-on  hn  prelerr.-d 
retf'.-atiu^  fae.-e.  t  i:  ••  ir.  -r.t  evi.T  -if ttrvranl  w««  a  -r.  ■  of  arousern-at 
tot!!';--  v-:.,-i  u-e.i  to  ii:  lulj'  i;i  pl'^u- jntnu^  witU  tin'  i  i-Ionel,  a.«  '.vol!  v.* 

tit  is  ccmrnoniy  cratfi  t  v..  t  ..^  o  ito^rrt  -.  Ah  ^f-Iec'm-n 
at  t?ie  time.   .Such  wa*  nor  • cuf.-..    \  .,  .,•  -^-otin-.-n  ut  » i;;u..  wore  l";'>ht. 

Cba^e,  ilu.ses  rru^-eil  a;;.!  ir^niuan  J  arr.j. a..-  may  -.•m:;  i^y  reicrriiKz 
to  the  To-sm  Kecorda,  pa3re*.i,'y. 


144  «KETCHES  OP  THE 

The  hostages  were  kept  at  Castine  ten  days,  or  a  fortnight^ 
where  they  remained  at  a  private  house  without  being  restrain- 
ed in  the  exercise  of  their  parole.  After  remaining  there  some 
ten  days,  they  were  granted  a  leave  of  absenoe,  in  which  to  visit 
their  friends.  Tljey  afterward  returned,  but  being  informed 
there  was  no  need  of  their  further  detention,  as  the  question  re- 
lating to  the  prize  was  considered  as  settled. — the  blame  not 
restin^T  v>ith  the  citize^ks  o{  Cauiden  but  with  the  captors,  upon 
whose  lu  ads  they  oll'ered  hberal  rewards, — and  so  the  hostages 
were  discharged  from  custody. 

In  the  sueceedii'Cf  January,  the  following  article  was  inserted 
ju  a  t-^'irn  warrant  : — '*  To  see  if  the  town  will  remunerate 
^lessrs.  liei.j.  Cusiung  and  Robt.  Chas-j  for  their  going  oa  board 
the  Briiiih  frigate  Furieuse  as  hostages  about  the  Isi  of  ISo- 
veml^er  lait  past,  and  other  expenses  incident  thereto,  and 
raise  money  for  ti  e  same."  When  the  subject  of  compensation 
was  presented  at  the  next  town  meeting,  it  was  summarily  pre- 
termitted by  votin^^  to  "  dismiss  the  article."  * 

From  the  time  of  the  capture  of  the  British  sloop  Mary,  until 
the  ces.-atlon  of  hostilities,  nothing  particularly  worthy  of  note 
relating  to  the  war  transpired  in  this  town. 

On  the  24th  of  Dec.  (1814)  the  treaty  of  poace  was  signed 
at  Ghent,  and  on  the  14tk  of  Feb.  (1815)  the  joyful  intelligence 
v.  as  brought  to  this  place  by  the  driver  of  the  western  mail 
stage.  The  stage  arriving  at  midnight,  the  repeated  blasts  of 
the  driver's  post  horn  soon  aroused  some  of  our  citizens  from 
iheir  nocturnal  slumbers,  and  as  soon  as  the  news  was  ascer- 
tained, the  report  was  proclaimed  by  the  firing  of  guns,  the 
kindlin  r  of  boniires,  and  by  shouts  and  other  demonstration3 
of  joy.  Many  of  the  crowd  forthwith  repaired  to  the  places 
where  rhey  could  get  inspirited  by  the  imbibing  of  liquor,  and 
there  they  gave  vent  to  the  ebullition  of  their  feelings  in  con- 
sonance with  tJieir  ideas  of  the  occasion.  The  four  twelve- 
poundTs  in  the  two  forts  soon  began  to  speak  in  loud  accents, 
and  thus  they  continued  to  speak  until  the  dawn  of  day.  In 
the  morning,  at  sunrise,  Simeon  Tyler  voiuiiteered  with  others 

*  l£r.  C^iaiiiiiif ,  one  oi  the  hoetagae,  is  btill  lining,  a*;  the  advanced  ftg« 
cl  •*  ye«'s.   ilr.  Chw*  di^d  May  1,  Li52j  at  tii*  ag«  of  70. 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDK^. 


145 


to  go  np  on  the  mountain  and  manage  the  two  twelves  and  one 
eighteen  pounder,  sentinels  which  had  thus  farmaintamed  their 
silence-  As  the  largest  piece  belched  forth  from  ita  elevated 
position,  in  deep  thunder-like  tones,  the  habitations  below  were 
shaken  to  their  foundations,  while  the  echo's  reverberations 
were  heard  resounding  over  adjacent  waters,  ^remote  hills,  and 
distant  valleys.  Thus  through  the  day  the  firing  continued 
from  all  the  guns,  and  the  tidings  of  peace  thereby  became 
first  announced  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  suiTOunding  towns. 
The  day  being  spent  in  demonstrations  ot  joy,  the  night  closed 
the  exhibition  by  a  public  dance,  and  a  time  of  festivity. 

The-2'2d  ot  Feb.  was  appointed  by  the  General  Court  as  a 
day  of  thanksgiving  for  the  joyful  event. 

On  the  2ith  ot  April,  the  English  troops  evacuated  Castine ; 
and  thus  departed  irom  our  borders  a  foreign  soldiery,  who  had 
there  held  possession  for  two-thirds  of  a  year,  to  the  annoyance 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  circumjacent  country.  Appropriate 
to  this  period,  and  pertinent  to  the  occasion,  are  the  words  of 
the  bard: 

"  Now  no  more  the  drum 
Provokes  to  arms,  or  trumpet's  clangour  shrill 
Affrights  the  wives,  or  chills  the  virgln'a  blood;" 
But  joy  and  pleasure  open  to  the  view 
Uninterrupted!" 


146 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


Eccles'a?ticai  !r.f>{t!.y.= — T!;e  fern  votes  to  rtis?olve  it-  connoctioa  with 
the  Kev.  M:'.  Cocr.ran — I'l eiitniiuxry  prMec.iinir^— A  Ci'mmittee  ai'i  oimed 
to  coBCer  with  Mr.  C— Th- ir  ac'i  .M— Mr.  C'^  o! ■]••'<? tioiiK  to  moJe 
of  the  aciiou  tak,..  — .\  |_■^^\cv  o;; — Di--a^rrci:'ni*'nl — Another  (.'oiiiici! 
called — Ihetinah  —  •■•o-'.iuy  on  Wi:-:  <  'y  •— Ki.-,':!;?/  ]  rroi.  u^-^d —.-ieparat ion 
Que.-rlon — Ccir  ron-'  r.iAOved  Irotn  t;.«  Jlount-rii  i  -  v  tc  ir^r  iC^-pi-e- 
seutative  to  Cunsfre.-s — The  vote  for  » ; ovfTi'^r  ■- r.">  r.Ti ;  pj-:irce  « >ne=tion 
first  mooted — The  bri/  Cuthei  hit       -  >     .  :  i  ^ ti.Mir  f  iiereto — 

The  Town";  Toor— ^Tor'.ey  v.-'ci  !  —     .  _    .  .1;;  .-     ..,M;;on  <;ue-tiou 

ag:sia — Aiurma-ive  action  r:ii-\!i  -i"-  •  Arria  -i;,-,  :u  j , . ;,.-^.r:r~-< 'on- 
stitutioa  submitted  to  the  people — Vaij  u  r  r^cate  Otficers — The  rir-t  Eepre- 
sentarive — A  Fire — Freachiiia — The  tir^t  Steamboat. — The  iMaiue,  Fatent, 
aad  2\ew  Yoik. 


X'TAVIXG  zivtn  a  continuous  sketch  of  the  events  con- 
Jjj     nc-^'-\  ■vir\         --ir  zi  1^12-11,  wo  ^vul  nc^v  notice 
otLjr  ailuivs   thAr.  tran^piied  during,  and  succeeding 
that  peri-^d. 

As  the  roauhr  I;,;.-  j  r-v'cu^iy  -n  apf  i-.^od,  th(^  town  h^d  duly 
called-  and  had  i"s:uU^(L'i  i-.-i--i.-;.r  proi-.'licr  of  the  gospel,  to 
adiidcis.'er  to  the  spiritual  vv.i-r.-;  ci"  tl.i.s  eonimunity.  In 
procsss  of  time,  the  people  became  uisiatisfidd  ■lY'.th  the:  rehuion 
that  existed  between  theta  and  their  pastor,  and  -o  took  initia- 
tory stepiS  to  dissolve  tliat  connection,  by  iriserting  the  foHowing 
article  ia  the  town  warrant  under  date  of  May  4,  1ST4:  To 
see  if  tiie  town  -will  n]i[>oint  a  Coinjp.ittfe  honorably  to  di-solve 
the  connr.jtion  betv/een  tlie  town  ar;d  their  Minister,  agreeable 
to  the  eall  and  articles  of  >ttt!cniept."  Al>r>.  "to  see  if  the 
town  ■will  appoint  a  committee  to  consult  with  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Cochran  and  the  Church  re-peetmr  a  Council,  and  to  give 
the  necessary  notii^e  agreeably  to  articles  of  settlement."  Also, 
"to  act  upon  Viy  -'i-'  h  rnn.ttr'rs  and  thiiv:-  ?.s  may  1.'-^  tliouufht 
necessary,  amiably  ar-d  honorably  to  'iismiss  Mr.  Cochr.m  from 
the  further  m.iniiterial  duty  as  settled  Minister  over  the  in- 
habitants of  said  town,  and  to  make  any  arrangement  respecting 


HISTOBY  07  CAMDBJt.  147 

a  poll  parish  for  him  or  an  j  other  minister."  The  above  article>i 
were  voted  upon  as  follows  :  "  To  decide  the  question  "whether 
the  town  will  choose  a  committee  to  dissolve  the  contract 
between  the  Rev.  Tbos.  Cochran  and  said  town  by  yeas  and 
nays: — yea?,  109;  nays,  26.'*  A  commiitee  consisting  of  the 
following  gentlemen  was  next  chosen  "to  dis-solve  the  contract 
between  Mr.  Cochran  and  said  town,"*  viz: — '••  Sam'l  Brown, 
Joshua  Dillingham,  Robt.  Chase,  llosea  Bates,  Nath'l  Martin, 
Nathan  Brown,  and  Erastus  Foote."  A  committee  of  seven 
was  next  appointed  to  consult  with  Mr.  Cochran  and  the 
churjh  respecting  a  Council,  and  to  give  the  necessary  notice 
agreeable  to  the  articles  of  agreement."  The  before-mentioned 
gentlemen  were  appointed  a?  the  Committee. 

Oa  the  2Dth  of  the  month,  rhe  Committee  handed  Mr.  Cochran 
the  Notice  contemplated  by  the  votes.  According  to  the  original 
stipulation  entered  into  bt^tween  Mr.  C.  and  the  town,  he  was  to 
be  apprised  of  any  intention  of  dir^mission  six  month  before  the 
time  of  the  o<:eurrenee.  The  Committee  agreed  to  appoint 
a  time  and  place  to  meet  Mr.  C.  and- the  church  if  he  desired 
it,  so  as  to  dissolve  the  connection  by  mutual  consent.  3Ir.  C, 
although  reluctant  to  take  any  measures  to  dissolve  his  connec- 
tion with  the  people  here,  agreed  to  call  a  Council  and  confer 
with  his  church  upon  the  subject.  The  Committee  delayed 
taking  further  action  upon  the  matter  until  the  i2th  of 
December,  when  Joshua  Dillingham,  JEsvp,  and  Capt.  Hosea 
Bate-,  of  that  numbi^r,  handed  Mr.  C.  a  note,  apprising  him  of 
the  expiration  of  the  six  months,  and  requested  him  to  signify 
his  views  in  writing.  Mr.  C.  responded,  ''that  he  considered 
the  contract  betwe,^n  the  town  as  dissolved,  and  that  he  did 
not  oxpe::t  any  mo/c  silary,  and  that  he  would  consult  with 
his  church  and  give  V-yi  Committee  notice  as  to  the  Council." 
He  rcle-tsc'I  the  tovrn  Irom  ail  claims  as  their  minister,  except 
the  six  months'  =.iiary  aforesaid.  In  another  communication, 
Mr.  C.  censured  the  action  the  town  topic  upon  the  matter,  a.s 
he  maintained,  that  in  consonance  with  the  arti  :!e  of  agreement, 
it  wr-.s  the  duty  of  t'-  :■  ■  by  a  uehnitc  \z..  .  : j  cxprt;:-'s  not 
only  its  dissatisfaction,  bur  the  cause  of  it,  so  -  that  he  might 
have  an  opportunity  of  bei.ng  heard  before  the  Couacii  teaching 


14S  STd^Tcnrs  OF  the  < 

all  m-vters  ot  [rrievAnce."  In  his  coaimunlcation.  now  before 
us,  Mr.  C.  says,  "it  vv^  ;^au>'»-  o'  'ii^-^ici^t^ct-or.  aro  .:i''h  'ts 
to  disquality  me  iVoni  the  ministry,  then  i£  a  lir.ty  vvhi-Mi  the 
Town  ov/e  tbems  ?ive.--,  ami  the  Church  o:  CLri^i;  at  large  to 
bricir  theni  be(bre  ;i  I  oun-'!!,  v ho  have  po-wer  to  civiprlve  me 
oi  my  mini-ti-ri:;,!  c:.;;  If  nor,  then  it  a  duty  -vvbich  they 
owe  me  that  the  Cc;;v.-jil  ni-iy  j'.i^ury  anu  recoinmend  rue  to  the 
improvemenc  of  oth<.-r  caur-^b^s.  hly  caaricter  io  be  tested 
by  enemies,  as  well  friends,  ■wliica  jriake^!  it  uocessary  tiiat 
my  dismission  be  not  in  ;-rteh  a  manner  as  to  jiive  jieopie  an 
cpr>oriUnity  or  asiic^nlnir  v;hatever  cause  mijlit  ami  a  spirit  of 
ma'evolenee  :  therefore,  I  vievv  it  a  ducy  which  I  owe  aiy  own 
charaoter,  the  ehuich  a-;d  society  with  which  i  h  ive  bti^n  con- 
nected to  request  the  Town  to  act  agreeable  to  the  articles  oi 
settlt;men%  viz  :  To  vote  their  dissatisfaction,  an^l  the  caase,  or 
causes  of  ir.  And  then  I  am  ready  iind  willing  to  fu  fil  my 
eno;a;ieme-nt  with  them  in  uniiinji;  to  call  a  Council  to  dissolve 
the  connection."  * 

The  Committee  considered  the  view  Mr.  C.  took  of  the  alftir 
as  contrary  to  thein'cnt  and  ineaniu<_i  of  the  •  Cab,  Avrec-inent, 
and  Articles  of  Settieuicut."  'i'i\ey  therefore  thought  it 
advisable,  as  "Mr.  Cochran  refused  all  accommodarion,  and  even 
to  join  in  a  mutuiil  :;onr.cil  to  call  one  t».em:eivcs  in  bchali  of 
the  Tov.M."  (Town  llecoids.)  Accordingiy,  the  Committee 
forwarded  an  atteste  .l  copy  of  the  votes  of  the  tovvti,  and  a 
letter  to  the  Kev.  2dr.  Hnse  ot  Warren,  the  Rev.  '},lr.  Mason 
of  Cnsiin'^,  the  Ut;v.  ?dr.  lilocd  of  liuckb'-own,  [Bucksport.] 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Loo.nis  ot  B  >r.ii;or,  and  ihe  Icev.  Mr.  Packard  of 
Vi'i-x'a^iCt,  requesrin-4  them  to  meet  as  a  Council  on  th-j  1st  day 
of  the  ensuing  June,  at  ihe  dwehin'j  house  ot  Nathan  Urown." 

At  the  appointed  tiii:  '  uti.l  piuce  tlirec  ot'  the  Council  were 
in  attendance,  viz  :  ti.e  ihjv.  Messrs.  >dason,  Huse,  and  Uiood. 
It  apr'-ars  tnat  tise  l'-;nfvil  di-^.-^rreed,  and  a-ljourned  till  the 
'Uh  of^'the  iouowin'i  Juiv-.  i  i:c  ilcv.  Mr.  Jenks  of  Bafh.  and 
the  R'.'V.  Mr.  J)ro"V!i  of  "^hirmouth,  v/crc  liext  addressed 

on  thesubjt.-et,  and  rL{p>c.-,tcd  to  juin  in  the  Council.    Wlien  the 

*  Town  KecordiJ,  p. 


HISTORY  OF  149-: 

Council  met  tlie  only  members  present  were  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Packard  and  Huie.  The  Report  says,  Mr.  Cocbran  now 
made  other  objections  to  the  proceedings  of  the  Town,  and  the 
Rt^verend  Genik-raen  closed  the  business  by  recorariiending'_]Mr. 
Co-.hrari  ar.d  iLt  Tc;^'n  to  coliiO  to  a  settleii^ent."' 

The  Comnnttee  at'-erward  jrave  a  detailed  statement  of  the 
reasons  why  they  deemed  it  inexpedient  for  the  Town  to  take 
any  farther  action  on  the  r:nbicct.  The  duty  of  the  Coramiilee 
here  ceased,  and  it  appear*  that  Mr.  Cochran  <Gon  after  dis- 
solved his  connection  v.-irh  v.:e  pa,riih  here. 

As  the  to'^-n  refuse*!  to  compensate  him  tor  the  six  months' 
service  that  was  (hie  him,  he  was  un'Uir  tiie  necc--^icy  in  1^17  of 
prosecuting  his  claim  before  a  judicial  tribunal.  The  case  wis 
decided  in  181 S  in  favor  of  M\\  Cochran,  the  whole  cost  to  the 
town  amountinc;  to  >^l,-loO. 

l^lb.  April  1st,  at  a  regular  town  meeting,  it  was  voted, 
"To  give  10  for  each  wild  cat  killed  within  the  limits  of  said 
town." 

May  6th  it  was  voted  To  raise  •■^200  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  in  purchasing  a  tire  Engine." 

May  20th,  a  meetinii:  was  called  to  see  what  action  should 
be  taken  on  detaching  the  District  of  Maine  from  iMassachusettiJ, 
and  tbrmin-T  there  from  a  new  State.  The  c^ues'lon  was  sub- 
mitted to  a  vote  when  it  was  declared  Ris  follows  :  In  tavor  oi 
sepeiration,  37  votes  ;  against  separation,  83  votes.  Tho  same 
C|aesf'ca  waa  presented  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  22d  of  the  lol- 
1  owing  Augusc,  and  was  again  negatived  by  l»5,  against  32 
votes. 

During  this  year,  the  tlirce  cannons  were  removed  trom  the 
ILOur!tai:i^and  carrii-d  to  iioton  or  i'orLl,u;>:l. 

Nov.  iih.  The  vote  for  Repre-eutative  to  Congress  was  as 
follows:  For  Benj.  Orr,  Estp,  »)7  votes;  tor  r>Ji.stas  Foote, 
Es.u,  4  J  vo^vs. 

l>17.  Ai^il  Till  the  voti' im-  Governor  i^.  inflicateJ  thus: — 
ILjii.  .Ino.  >J  m/lj.,;  <jen.  liv'if  a-  J    :ir'<i;r'; .  ^7  votes. 

June  2Sth.  an  arriele  was  iasijav-d  in  ilit-.  tov.-u  svarruat,  ■•  To 
esee  v,-hai  meaiure-  the  r/jwu  v/ili  ,".-]. m^>.  tov  p;ir|;-ose  of 
prev*v:tiiig  reialiera  wiihiu  the  town  of  (..ataden  celling  bpirita- 


150  5IBTCHM  OP  TBI 

0U5  Liquor,  to  bo  drank,  or  entertaining,  or  suffering  any  person 
or  persons  to  drink  the  same  within  their  shops.  Also,  to  see 
what  further  measures  the  to^vn  -tU  adopt  for  the  supi^esston 
ot  incemperance." 

On  the  12ih  of  Julv  the  above  was  acted  upon  by  passing 
the  following  votes  :  "  That  there  be  a  eommutee  ot  three,  viz.: 
Vphm.  Woi,  Osk..  Perry  and  TiLou  Gould,  iu  aJmt.oa  to 
The  selectmen:  to  carr>-  into  e^x-t  the  laws  ot  the  Common- 
wealth re^pectin,  the  reeaihng   and  drinking  of  ^  spirituous 
l.qnors  within  the  stores  or  shops  in  the  said  to^n.        V  o.eci 
th:a  tKt-rc  he  v.^o  more  added  to  the  Committee,  to  ^it,  ^vm. 
i-.rkiu.tn  and  Aldea  iiass."    -'Voted  also.  S-hat  a  copy  ot  tae 
i5isy*«>  Ti-ii???*  Vx'  put        hi  every  store  in  the  place. 

t>.^»  »3w  J  Si-  n.-.!  ri-tion  the  town  took  ufwn  the  subject 
^  i^^^t^n^-r-  I'u--  -l.tv  ot  tit-  reiorin  wa,s  dsen  beginning 
*^  1  paihr  MU-nuotu     Li<|uor  was  then  sold  at  ad  the 

it-  v^ir*.  jw  Jr^;ejv  as  any  ot  the  common  articles  of  commerce, 
*a  i  sc  Will  thus  be  seen  that  the  step  taken  in  declarinjj:  against 
»h.-  ne/arious  traihc,  wa*  quite  a  stride  in  advance  ot  the  ideas 
thea  geueraliy  entertained  upon  the  subject. 

At  this  time,  there  being  diiiiculty  between  Spain  and  Mexico, 
an  American  privateer  was  fitted  out  at  Baltimore  under  a 
Mexican  captaiti.  and  manned  with  an  American  crew,  to 
cruise  for  Spanish  prizes.  Falling  in  with  a  Spanish  ship  ofl'  by 
Cuba,  she  captured  her.  The  prize  was  io;v'led  with  coffee, 
cocoa,  cochineal,  indigo,  tortoise  shell,  &e.  The  brig  Catherine 
Shepherd  a<:coiupanyinf?  the  privateer,  was  loaded  with  the 
cargo,  w'aiie  the  ?hip  was  carried  into  a  Mexican  port.  The 
Catherine  Shepherd  then  sailed  north,  and  in  the  month  of 
May  arrive<l  at  Green  Island,  where  she  took  in  a  pilot  who 
brought  her  into  this  port.  Being  boaaied  hy  Deputy  Coi« 
lector  Curtis,  the  caiitam. — -John  A.  Narrigne,  who  was  a  native 
of  St.  Domingo. — pretended  they  had  put  iu  in  <;i;tress,  and 
ha<l  been  on  an  allowaa.e  Usr  seventy  days.  Mr.  Curtis  and 
Jacob  Ulmcr,  ad  Ke\i-'ai;<'  v'Th'crs,  took  po-^s. •>(  her  as  a 
smuggler,  and  after  securing  her.  put  John  Bowers  and  Simeon 
Tyler  aboard  as  keeperr-.  Bs-ing  in  a  fix  they  did  not  antici- 
pate, the  mate,  ^Vi^;llii;J;toa,  thinkic«z  he  coul-l  bribe  Tyler 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN-/ 


151 


to  suffer  tlicm  to  slip  tlicir  cables  at  night,  offered  liini  a  sum 
of  money  if  he  would  consent  to  the  transaction,  but  he  reso- 
lutely refused  to  be  bribed.  Soon  after,  the  cargo  ■^vas  dls- 
cIu'ii-L^cd,  and  put  into  the  cellar  of  the  Masons'  buildiui;. 
The  owners  afterward  came  on  and  demanded  the  car^o. 
Collector  McCobb,  of  "Waldoboroufrh,  in  a  letter  dated  the 
20th  of  'Sl'dx,  instructed  Capt.  Curtis  "  to  deliver  to  Capi. 
.Xartii^uc  and  Mr.  Dickerman  [or  Dightman,  the  supercargo,] 
all  the  merchandise  now  in  your  possession,  imported  in  the 
briir  Catherine  Shepherd,  exceprin.?  the  following,  viz.:  — 
1  Bale  Cotton  ;  1  Box  Sliell  ;  2  lb>.  do.  :  1  Bag  ditto.  :  2 
bbls  Castor  Oil.'"'-'  After  paying  the  duties  upon  the  u^oods, 
the  owners  sent  a  vessel  here  from  New  York  and  took 
them  away.  The  officers  and  crew  of  the  C.  Shepherd 
tarried  here  five  or  six  weeks,  but  the  brig  remained  here 
something  like  a  year,  when  she  was  sold  at  auction. f 

1818.  Abraham  Ogier  "bid  otf,"  "at  public  auction," 
"the  poor  of  said  town  of  Camden,"  at  339o,00,  for  the 
current  year. 

1819.  At  the  parochial  meeting  of  the  town,  held  tlie 
19th  of  April,  it  was  "  Voted,  To  raise  8100  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  Gospel  Ministry  the  ensuing  season." 

July  2Gth.  At  a  special  meeting  for  the  purpose,  the 
town  voted  in  favor  of  separating  from  Massachusetts,  and 
for  the  forming  of  a  new  State.  The  vote  stood  as  fol- 
lows:—  For  separation,  97;  against  it,  46. 

Sept.  20lh.  At  a  meeting  called  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing a  dele  gate  to  attend  the  convention  to  be  held  in  Port- 
land, to  form  a  constitution  "  for  the  proposed  new  State," 


♦  We  woidd  here  acknowle(l2:e  our  iudohtcdne?^  to  J.  11.  Curtis, 
E^q..  for  the  loan  of  letters  .and  other  documepts  which  we  have 
l:CTer.'/.V,re  quotc'i,  froia  v.'hich  v.c  have  clerlve-i  inip^/rtant  data -iiid 
glciucU  valuable  facts. 

t  Statenicuts  of  Mr.  Simeon  Tyler. 

13 


lo2  SKETCHES  OF  THE  "  • 

Xatlianiel  Martin,  Esq.,  vtrs  chosen  to  serve  in  that  ca- 
pacity. 

As  a  matter  of  hi-^tory,  ^ve  v,'ill  (|uoto  the  foUoM'inq;  ac- 
tion of  -'1:0  to^vn  on  dio  dr..  I't  nrc-p'ircd  by  the  delegates  at 
the  convention  :  — 

"  At  a  lcp:al  mectinij:  of  the  inliabitants  of  the  town  of 
Camden,  in  the  county  of  Lincohn,  qualified  to  vote  for  sen- 
ators,-hoklen  on  the  1st  Monday  of  Dec,  being  the  6th 
day  of  said  month,  A.  D.  1819,  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
in  their  votes  in  -uTiting,  expressing  their  approbation  or 
disapprobation  of  the  con-^titution  prepared  by  the  conven- 
tion of  delegates  assembled  at  Porthind  on  the  2d  Monday 
of  Oct.  last,  pursuant  to  an  Act  entitled  '  an  Act  relatinoj 
to  the  separation  of  the  Distriet  of  Maine  from  ^Massachu- 
setts,  and  forming  the  same  into  a  separate  and  indepen- 
dent State.' 

"  The  whole  number  of  votes  given  in  said  Camden  were 
sorted  and  counted  in  the  open  meeting,  and  Vvcre  83  votes, 
of  whdch  59  were  in  favor  of  the  constitution  adopted  by 
the  convention  at  Portland,  and  4  votes  were  opposed  to 
said  constitution.""'^' 

1520.  On  ^Monday,  the  od  d-ay  of  April,  tlie  legal  voters 
of  Camden  assembled  at  the  ^Masons'  Hall,  (cheir  usual 
place  of  meeting,)  and  for  the  first  time  gave  in  their  votes 
for  public  otiicers  of  tho  Slal'^  of  Maine. 

As  it  may  bo  interesting:  to  exhibit  the  vote  of  the  town. 
upon  said  occasion,  we  '^v.U  here  produce  the  record  :  —  For 
Governor,  Hon.  Win.  KiaT.  \')0  votes;  Ablen  Bass,  6 ; 
Oakes  Perry,  2;  J..-^h';a  Head,  Esq.,  1;  lluht.  Ogier,  1. 
For  Senators,  X;::h:tni"l  Urcen,  Esq.,  196  votes;  Benj. 
{■u-hlng.  Esq.,  177  :  I'lM^rus  Foote,  Esq..  1 72  ;  Edward 
K' :l.ir(  n.  17:  Wm.  a--\-<;')d,  1,  For  lb  p''"-;cnt:itive, 
Ji.nus  Wlii-vler,  E,q.  lul  \  jI-s  ;  Epiun.  Vv'oua,  . J  ;  Mosea 

*  Town  llpcord.-?,  p.  .'?')0, 


IIISTOKY  OF  CAMDEX.  .  153 

Tnisseil,  1  ;  Jonah  Howe,  1  ;  Xatii"!  Martin,  Esq.,  1.  For 
County  Treasurer,  Joshua  Head,  Esq.,  100  votes;  Jonas 
Wheeler,  Esq.,  1. 

It  v,  :i[  bo  seen  that  ]Mr.  Yrheelcr  vras  our  first  rGpresc-nt- 
atlve.  He  ^vas  afterwards  chosen  president  of  the  Senate, 
which  place  he  occupied  at  the  time  of  his  death,  —  1S2G. 

Pec.  *2eih  occurred  quite  an  cxten.sive  iire,  by  which, 
four  buildin,irs  were  consumed,  consistincr  of  a  c:rist~rnill 
and  saw-mill,  o^^^■led  by  Capt.  John  Pendleton  and  Vsni. 
and  Joseph  Eaton  :  a  bark-mill,  used  by  Moses  Parker,  and 
a  blacksu.iith  ^^hop.  owned  and  occupied  by  llobt.  Chase 
and  Asha  Palmer.  They  v,-ero  situated  on  the  site  now 
occupied  by  the  gidst-mill,  (at  the  foot  of  the  stream,)  and 
on  the  vacant  place  adjoining  to  the  south  of  it, 

1823.  At  a  legal  parochial  meeting  held  the  llth  of 
August,  the  town  voted  thus  on  religious  matters  :  —  To 
raise  -1^200  ;  one  half  to  be  laid  out  for  orthodox  preacli- 
ia.::.  and  the  other  holf  for  liberal  preaching." 

During  this  year,  commenced  to  visit  the  port  of  Cam- 
den the  first  steamboat  that  ever  plowed  these  eastern  M  a- 
t;-r~.  Her  name  was  the  Maine,  Capt.  Daniel  Lunt,  f.)r- 
L.  rly  of  LincolnviUe,  but  now  of  Appleton,  master.  She 
was  of  about  125  tons  burthen.  The  steamer  Patent  then 
plied  between  Boston  and  Bath.  At  the  latter  place,  the 
Maine  connected  with  her,  and  on  the  eastward  route  touch- 
ed at  Townsend,  Owl's  Head,  Camden,  Belfast,  Castine, 
Se«I-^'wick,  Cr  inl'crry  Islands,  Lubcc,  Eastport  and,  occa- 
sionally, at  St.  Jolm.  The  fares  were  as  follows:- — From 
Bath  to  Camden,  82.00  :  from  BclList  to  Eastport.  ^oJsO  ; 
fi-om  Bath  to  Eastport,  80,00.  When  the  Maine  first  vis- 
ited Camden,  a  cannon  announced  the  fact,  by  salutes, 
whi  'h  soon  brought  to  the  shore  an  eager  multitude,  anx- 
'y>  behold  the  I'uit.JiiIa;i  craft.  As  Capt.  Lunt  Cuii- 
chidvd  t')  tarry  UL-re  over  nigbt,  our  citi/.ens  were  tendered 
the  privile.jc  of  inspecting  ti;c  boat,  v/iiicli  oher  tliey  were 


154  SKETCHES  OF  THE  \  ' 

not  back'.vard  in  accepting.  Warren  Ra^vsoG  was  app3int- 
ed  as  agent  for  this  place. 

In  the  ibliowin^r  yc:ir,  (1824,)  the  Patent  run  on  the 
route  between  Boston  and  St.  John.  Cant.  Lunt,  master. 
In  l>:2o,  the  New  York  was  put  on  in  opposition  to  the 
Patent.  We  believe  that  Capt.  Thomas  Rockers,  (now  of 
P>05ton,;  was  then  mascer  of  the  Xew  York.  So  great  ^^•as 
the  rivaby  betv/cen  tliese  two  boats,  that  intentional  col- 
lisions not  unfrequently  took  place  between  them.  Soon 
after  ihe  ?Nevy-  York  was  newly  rittcd  up,  by  replacin<i  new 
boikrs  for  the  old  ones,  she  was  badly  damanjed  by  beimr 
run  into  by  the  Pat^^nt.  When  oif  Petit  ^lenan,  Aug.  26, 
1825,  the  New  York  was  burned."^ 


*  We  are  indebted  principally  to  Capt.  Luut  for  the  above  facts. 


ni.STOIlY  OF  CAMDEX. 


Ecraarks  —  Project  of  creating  a  new  County  —  Licenses  —  Suit 
Works  —  Paper  MUl  —  Teaipcrance  Societies  —  Politics  —  Sch  -ols 

—  Cholera  —  Town  House  buUt  —  Licensor  —  }»ii]itary  Afi^ilm  — 
Obuo.-;iou:s  La'.vs  —  xanta-tioal  Proceedings  —  Amendment  to  the 
Cou^tit-^tion  —  Canoda  Ilailroad  —  Light  House  erected  —  Keepers 

—  Mc;junticook  Paiik. 


T'lIE  most  irirercstin^:^  portion  of  tlie  Li^iLory  of  Cama-ii, 
lies  in  the  times  when  the  sires  of  its  present  inhabi- 
tants vv-ere  upon  the  stage  of  active  life.  Bat  few 
events  of  general  interest,  v/orthy  of  record,  have  transpired 
in  the  town  within  the  past  thirty  years,  yet,  as  ma('t.:rs 
pertaining  to  history,  they,  in  connection  with  transactions 
of  minor  importance,  arc  deserving  of  attention. 

^Ve  will  first  ghmce  at  the  common  atiairs  of  the  town, 
after  which,  we  shall  notice  separately,  those  things  thai 
are  noteworthy  of  themselves. 

1S2G.  At  this  time  the  question  of  creating  a  new 
county  was  agitated,  and  on  the  2d  of  September,  we  find 
an  article  inserted  in  the  town  warrant,  "  To  see  if  the 
to\\-n  will  petition  the  Legislature  for  a  neM*  County,  oc-ar- 
hig  tlie  name  of  Knox,  comprising  the  towns  in  Hancock 
•and  Lincoln  c.'Ainrlus,  mentioned  in  n  printed  jx'tltion  to 
ho  addrcs-ed  to  the  Legisiatnro  of  ?»L.b:;*\  January,  1S27/' 
The  town  being  opposed  to  the  forma -ion  of  the  proposed 
county  of  Waldo,  remonstrated  "  ag:iiiist  being  included  in 
t];e  new  co'mty  of  Waldo,  in  its  prcsznt  shape,  as  describ- 
ed in  the  bill  now  ]^:;nding  befijre  the  L...ii-sla.Uirc.""-^  (,)n 


At  our  prc^^cj'it  wrltbi'-r,  a  project  h  on  ib-.t  to  form  a  now 
County  by  t'.o  n. t-.f  ';,-.j.r,  to  he  con) of  the  tov\-n.s  ot" 
Cam  i-n,  I..  :   b::    /  .  vpi,  ITopn,  Aop'cton,  Union,  War- 


1-36  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

the  llth  of  Sept.  the  town  voted,  "to  petition  the  Legis- 
lature for  a  new  county  bearing  the  name  of  Knox."  A 
committee  vras  then  chosen  to  present  a  petition  for  said 
purpo.se.  At  rhe  same  moctincr  the  town  granted  nineteen 
rerail  dealers  licenses  to  sell  liqaor. 

At  this  time  Goose  River  settlement  numbered  eighteen 
dv,-ellirg>^.  Gen.  Xath'i  Estabrook's  iSalt  Works,  on  Ijean- 
chcmip  Xeciv,  was  the  principal,  if  not  the  only,  business 
establishment  in  that  part  of  the  tOAMi.  As  it  ^^'as  found 
not  to  be  a  remunerative  investment,  the  Salt  Works  vrere 
carried  on  but  a  short  time,  and  the  operation  was  dis- 
continued. 

1828.  During  this  year,  Ebenr  H.  Barrett  and  John 
Swann  erected  a  Paper  ?\rill  on  the  site  now  occupied  by 
the  Powder  ^ilill,  at  a  cost  of  $'3000.  They  manufactured 
about  840  worth  of  paper  per  day.  In  1841  the  mill 
was  destroyed  by  tire. 

1S29.  At  this  time  the  temperance  reform  began  to 
receive  the  active  support  of  a  number  of  our  citizens,  and 
on  the  17th  of  Aug.  the  "  Camden  Temperance  Society"' 
was  organized,  of  which  Xath'i  Dillingham,  Esq.,  wa>;  tlie 
tirst  president.  At  the  time,  a  series  of  resolutions  were 
drav.-n  up,  the  tenor  of  which  were  in  opposition  to  the 
tralFxC,  and  to  the  effect  that  those  subscribing  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  society  were  expected  not  to  drink  spirituous 
liquors  unless  they  d^em^-d  it  /Kccssary.  Those  who  were 
willing  to  stand  by  these  resolutions  were  requested  to  in- 
dicate their  Mullingness  by  steppini;  forward  into  the  floor  of 
the  'school  ■  room.  Only  three,  Xath'i  Dillindiam,  Le\vis 
Ogier  and  Jolm  Swann  responded  to  tire  invitation.  The 


reii,  R<"ck]ar.d,  South  Thomaston,  Thom-iston,  St.  George,  North 
Ildr.'i,  V  ILiVi^n,  Mesuoro,"  ~- Le^i.iv-^  -uruiry  other  I-1:uhi3. 
The  proposed  new  Couii:y  'is  derined  by  rlie  ori_riniiLi:)r  of  the  ruove- 
ment.  (Hen.  E.  K.  Siaart,j  ad  beii'g  in  tho  "Liino  Hock  Yiiiley  oi 
Maine." 


i 


?  •        ■    ■  ■ 


f 


IIISTOr.Y  OF  CAMDEX.       -.  157 

society  afterward  received  the  support  of  quite  a  numbor 
of  persons  of  both  sexes,  and,  in  the  year  1832,  avc  find  it 
numbered  88  male  and  92  female  members.  As  the  re- 
port of  the  society  is  interesting^  as  a  matter  of  hi.^t<jry, 
we  will  here  produce  it:  It  says,  "'At  the  time  of  the 
adoption  of  the  constitution,  every  store,  except  one,  sold 
ardent  spirits  —  nov/,  out  of  eighteen  stores  in  the  village, 
but  three  retail  ardent  spirits. 

"It  13  a  rare  thing  for  the  respectable  part  of  the  citi- 
zens to  drink  ardent  spirits,  or  to  ofiur  it  to  their  friends. 

*•  Drunkennejss  in  its  \ynv>t  crarb  is  rarely  seen  in  oi  r 
village:  stili,  however,  tha  vice  is  not  removed  from  among 
us. 

"The  fact  that  the  lime-burning  business  has  increased, 
and  tliat  the  laborers  are  of  the  poorest  class,  together  witii 
the  fact,  that  three  retailers  are  found  among  us,  who 
openly  violate  hue,  and  more  doubtfully  their  consciences, 
will  readUy  account  for  that  lingering  vice. 

"  Most  of  the  paupers  have  been  made  so  by  intemper- 
ance. 

The  town  has  twice  refused  to  grant  the  right  to  Select- 
men to  license  retailers  to  sell  spirits  to  be  drank  in  their 
shops,  6<:c.,  by  a  decided  vote."''' 

Temperance  principles  were  then  of  a  very  accommo- 
dating character,  for.  inasmuch  as  members  of  the  socieiy 
were  permitted  to  drink  when  tiiey  f  k  it  was  ready 
necessary,  some,  —  r)iO':J'::roJ.e  dfinL'^rs.  ciaimed  that  it  \vas 
"necessary"'  for  them  to  drink  one  glass  a  day,  and  thus 
was  tolerated  a  liljeml  rule,  vs'hich  w.i?  not  entirely  done 
away,  we  think,  until  the  Total  Abstinence  reform  was 
pro:>enl'.;d  to  the  pubac.  "  Temperance  wine"  was  then 
used  by  many  professed  temperance  men  m  this  town,  untd 

«  Fir^t  Report  of  che  Maine  Temperance  Soju^ty,  Jan.  23,  1S3L', 
p.  31. 


1-58  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

upon  one  jubilant  occasion,  a  party  belonging  to  the  society, 
found  they  were  the  unconscious  actors  in  a  bacchanalian 
joll'ucation.  This  had  the  beneficial  result  of  making 
tora.1  abstinence  men  of  a  number  who  were  wont  to  in- 
drJ.:e  ill  an  occa^iunal  glass  of  wine.  When  the  Total 
Abstinence  rvcforni  and  Washina:tonian  Society  became  the 
order  of  the  da}-,  nany  of  our  citizens  enlisted  under  their 
banners,  after  wliich  it  became  disreputable  in  a  temper- 
ance man  to  use,  as  a  beverage,  any  inebriating  liquors. 

The  vote  for  Governor  this  year,  (1823,)  stood  as  fol- 
lows:—  Jona.  G.  Huntoon,  (Xational  Eepublican.)  100 
votes:  Samuel  E.  Smith.  'Democrat,}  18G.  In  the  follow- 
ing year  the  same  candidates  were  in  the  political  field, 
and  Mr.  Smith  received  193  votes,  Mr.  Huntoon,  137. 

1832.  Si 000  were  raised  for  the  support  of  schools  this 
year. 

Anticipating  a  ^'isitation  of  the  cholera  that  Avas  then 
racing  in  the  United  States,  a  town  wan-ant  v/as  drafted 
on  the  7th  of  July,  to  see  what  action  should  be  taken 
*'  in  relation  to  the  welfare  of  our  citizens,"  and  to  see 
wha:  sho'ald  be  done  to  serve  as  a  check  to  the  dreadful 
di-^  .'rdcr.  n  ;w  r';v;:^ing  this  continent."  The  following 
hcaltli  committee  was  appointed  to  take  the  proper  pre- 
cautions against  the  plague  for  the  towm :  —  Dr.  Joseph  H. 
Estabrcok,  Joseph  Hall,  James  Curtis,  Dr.  Joseph  Huse, 
Frederick  Jacobs,  Jonathan  Eager,  Wade  Sweetland,  Eb'r 
Thorndike  and  Dr.  Bonj.  J.  Porter.    The  selectmen  were 

:uithorLZcd  to  boiTOw  8200,  if  deemicd  necessary,  to  make 
[.:ov:,-i.m  f'lr  ^iie  sick."'  Fortunately  "  the  destroying  pes- 
tilence" did  not  visit  this  section,  and  the  danger  antici- 
pated by  the  town  did  not  come  to  pass. 

Nov.  oth,  the  town  vot'Hl  to  build  a  town-house.  It 
wa-  to  be  "  h\  32  'i- v'\  owf  st-.ry  high,*"  and  to  be 
built  by  contract,  and  hni.'.htd  by  the  15th  of  August,  at 
a  cost  not  exceediu''  >>G00.    The  contractor,  it  aDpears, 


HISTOSY  OF  CAMUEX.  l.j'J 

figured  pretty  cLosely  in  Ids  calculations,  as  the  honso  cost, 
when  completed,  8-384, o-').  The  first  town  meetin^^  held 
in  said  buildinc:  was  on  the  9th  of  Sept.  183:3. 

Sept.  11th,  eleven  per-r,ns  were  licensed  to  sell  spiritu- 
ous liquors  by  payiuLC  a  license  fee  of  83,00,  each,  v,'ith 
the  prohibition,  that  they  were  ""not  to  be  di'ank  in  their 
house,  store  or  shop." 

1833.  At  this  time  there  was  considerable  dissatisfac- 
tion felt  in  this  State,  relative  to  the  nnlitary  laws.  whi(di 
were  deemed  unjust,  and  considered  by  the  peop'le  as  un- 
den'.ocTatic,  because  tlie  ri'jhts  of  the  poor  man  were  not 
respected  —  by  havini:,'-  to  arm  and  equip  his  sons  on  hi.s 
o-wn  expense,  while  the  rich  man,  who  had  no  sons  to  be;^r 
arms,  incurred  no  cost.  The  common  people  protested 
against  thus  payin:^  for  protecting  the  rights  and  property 
of  tlie  ^^■ealtlly,  and  demanded  that  the  taxation  should  be 
pro  roJa  pecuniarily,  and  not  thus  numerically. 

At  this  tinie,  a  commanding  military  Oihcer,  v.  ho  resided 
in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town,  issued  an  order  for  the 
soldiers  here  to  turn  out  and  train  at  a  time  and  place  by 
him  designated.  Indicative  of  the  regard  they  had  for  the 
obnoxious  military  law  mentioned  above,  the  company 
turned  out.  armed  and  ecpaipped  with  every  thing,  save 
what  was  required  by  law.  Sythcs,  sickles,  axes,  shovels, 
hoes  and  other  implem.ents  took  the  place  of  guns  and 
swords,  and  the  soldiers'  uniform  was  represented  by  fan- 
tastic costume,  the  comicalness  of  ^■^■hich,  can  be  better 
ima,dned  than  described.  Otherwise,  the  company  be- 
haved with  perfect  decorum.    The  otficer  bciorc  meution- 

C'd,  —       K  ,  was  at  first  disposed  to  take  umbrage 

at  the  farcical  manner  in  v,'hich  the  soldiers  made  their  ap- 
pearance, suspecting  the  burlesque  was  desi^zned  as  an  in- 
sult r.::a>::r'  But  holvii  assured  coutrawise.  ho  took 
it  in  ^)rL  part,  conaiA!  '!  at  th''^  T^roceeding^,  and,  before 
the  exercises  were  concluded,  he  was  as  humorous  as  the 


160  SKETCHES  Oi'  THE  '  '.  . 

rest.  It  was  upon  tins  occasion,  that  the  ''temperance 
whie"  imbibed  to  excess,  as  before  stated.  This  Avas 
about  the  commencement  of  the  military  troubles  that  ^vere 
s;:b'cqi-K^n''l}'  ex^'^-rit^nced  iji  this  tov/n  of  which  vre  shall 
spoak  hereafter. 

13C4.  At  a  town  meeting  held  on  the  8th  of  Septem- 
ber, the  question  was  submitted  to  sec  if  the  to'.vn  would 
vote  to  amend  the  i\>:  -ritution  relative  to  voting  in  wards. 
Prior  to  this  time,  all  the  inhabitants  of  a  city  assem- 
bled in  one  room  to  transact  election  business,  and  it 
was  faund  to  be  a  diiHeult  thing  to  accommodate  so  large 
a  crowd  upon  all  occasions,  and  hence  it  was  proposed  the 
voting  should  be  done  in  the  several  wards  of  a  city  in- 
stead of  the  old  method.  The  votes  in  this  town  were  9 
yeas  and  0  nays. 

1835,  July  oOth.  the  town  voted  "To  choose  Hon.  Jos. 
Hall  as  agent  to  solicit  the  U.  S,  En,n*neer  to  survey  a 
route  to  Camden  Harbor  for  the  Can  i'Li  llailroad.''  When 
the  above  railroad  scheme  vras  talked  of,  many  of  our 
citizens  were  sanguine  that  the  proposed  road  would  have 
its  southern  terminus  here,  and  some,  in  anticipation  of  the 
idea,  purchased  lands  whicli  tliey  tliought  v.-ould  be  likely 
to  be  intersected  by  the  route.  Like  manj  other  cliimeras, 
the  dream  was  ntier  realized. 

During  this  year,  jdr.  George  Gait  of  Massachusetts 
(?)  built  the  light  house  on  Xegro  Island.  It  was  not 
liglited  until  the  f(jllov.-im,'  year. 

The  foUovving  is  a  list  of  the  light  keepers  at  different 
tim.es:  —  H.  K.        Lowers  in  1836;  i.im  S.  Fly  in 

1841;  Obadiah  Brown  in  184-5;  Capt.  Wi'liLmi  Prince  in 
18o3;  pyb'r  Carlton  next,  who  rosigntd  in  18.36,  when 
Oi.iadiah  Brown  was  :ir. pointed  again,  and,  (lying  in  1857, 
was  succeeded  by  An-^x -.v  M.  Annis,  whj  :hc  present 
keeper. 

1836.  During  this  year  was  chartered,  and  went  into 


IIISTOHY  OF  CAMDEX.  IGl 

operation,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000,  tlie  "  Megun- 
ticovik  ikiTik,"  of  Avliich  Wm.  Carlton,  E.>q.,  was  chosen 
I ■rc  >i-:l.  iu,  and  AVaiTcn  liavs'son,  Esq.,  casliie-r.  ^ir.  Haw- 
Mj;-.  dynii^  in  1833,  M'as  succeeded  by  Nathaniel  Dillin;:c- 
ham,  Esq.  ^Ir.  Carlton  deceased  in  1840,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Joseph  Jones,  Esq.,  vx"ho  M"as  president  until 
the  chartr-r  was  surrendered.  In  1845,  Mr.  Dillingham 
was  succeeded  by  Hiram  Bass,  Esq.,  who  was  cashier 
until  the  affairs  of  the  bank  were  finally  settled.  A  new 
charter  was  obtained  in  1847,  but,  as  there  v.'as  not  an 
cn:ire  un:-nimity  among  the  stockholders  as  to  its  continu- 
ath-n,  it  did  not  go  into  operation.  On  winding  up,  it  paid 
to  the  stockholders  99|-  per  cent,  on  the  original  stock. 
The  O'hce  was  in  the  second  story  of  Mr.  Jones'  brick 
block. 


162 


SKETCHES  OF  TITC 


V 


Licenses  refused  to  Public  Shows  —  Tlie  Poor  Farm  purchased  — 
Surplus  R^:veiiue  —  Zklilitary  AjT;iirs  —  Companies  called  out  — 
App-ear  dressed  a?  Fanta?tlcs — Futile  balloting  for  officers  —  The 
finale  — The  democratic  gun — Another  military  turn-out  —  Soldiers 
fined  for  non-attendance  —  The  deputy  i:<heriti'  and  his  writs  —  Ad- 
vised to  desist  from  his  course  —  His  [Ku-sistence  —  Gets  Ija-liy  used 
—  His  tlight  —  Case  laid  before  the  (inveriitjr  —  The  trinl  —  Ad- 
journed—  A  trial  before  the  court  —  (leci>inu  —  Auother  pros- 
ecution—  Proceedings  quashed  —  Anotlscr  attempt  at  training  — 
Tlireatening.s  —  Officer  molested  —  ('•.-incs  airain —  Military  orders 
issued  again  —  The  Megunticook  Iiulians  —  ]  )iscomUture  ot  the  of- 
ficer —  Conclusion  of  the  matter  —  Camden  Lyceum  —  Goose  lUver 
post-orhce  established  —  J.  1\.  Shaw  and  the  American  Citizen  — 
Ilarrisonian  times  —  'Widg  srun  and  flag  stalf — State  election  — 
Washingtonian  cause  —  CeIe1;ration — The  Independent  Temper- 
ance Society —  Youth's  Temperance  Society  — Their  pic-nic  —  Visit 
of  the  U.  S.  steam  frigate  Missouri. 


183T  ^^'^^^'^'^'^'^^^'^^  public  feeling  in  regard  to 
"  *  licensing  circuses,  &c.,  at  tins  time,  we  find 
tliat  the  town,  a,:^-ccribly  to  an  Act  passed  by  the  State, 
March  2,  18G2,  voted,  '*  not  to  grant  licenses  to  public 
shows  and  exhibitions." 

During  this  year,  about  fifty  per -oris  received  aid  from 
the  town,  of  whom  one-half  were  children,  from  t(,'n  years 
down  to  three  months  old.  In  viov,-  of  the  fact  tliat  so 
many  v,-ere  dependent  upon  the  town  fjr  support,  it  was 
decided,  on  the  8th  of  May,  tliat  st^ps  shoidd  be  taken  to 
obtain  a  place  wliere  they  comM  all  be  cared  f  )r  under  one 
roof,  instead  of  bjhig  let  out  lo  i}idi\ iduaU,"  The  ac- 
tion of  the  town  vras  mariifesti-i  h\  pa'^sl';.;,^  the  follo'-ving 
vote:  —  '*  Thar  the  -tit-ctaien  be  a  coinmittee  to  purchase 
the  Capt,   vVni.  Brov/n  farm,  ai)d  receive  a  deed  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  103 

same,  provldlns:  it  can.  bo  purchased  for  •*S2,400."  Wli..  ii 
the  barixiun  was  made,  tlic  farm  v/as  in  possession  of  John 
Keen,  who  was  one  of  the  heirs  of  Capt,  Brown,  we  think,) 
a'.id  from  liim  it  passed  by  deed  to  the  town.  "  The  Poor 
Farm""  is  situated  a  short  distance  soutli-west  of  Beech 
hilh  in  the  soiidi-westerly  part  of  the  town."^" 

By  au  Act  of  the  Lei,^i:-Liture,  passed  March  8th,  pro- 
vidiuL,"  for  the  distribution  of  the  Sur])his  Tlevcnue/'  this 
town  received  its  proportionate  part  accordin;.^  to  the  result 
of  the  census.  v,hich  was  soon  after  taken.  In  tius  place 
it  restdted  in  mucli  town  moetintj:  talk,  as  may  be  seen  by 
t'.ic  an\oinir  of  room  it  occupies  in  tlie  town  recor(Ls.  Tlie 
fund  was  iiiudiy  divided  cajiUa  among  tlic  inliabitants, 
each  receiving  82. 

Ac  about  this  time,  military  orders  were  issued  by  the 
colonel  of  this  regiment,  requiring  our  citizen  soldiers  to 
meet  at  a  de-^ignated  time  and  place,  to  make  choice  of 
othcers,  as  the  term  of  ofiice  of  the  commis'sioned  otiiccrs 
had  expired.  Puiict-ual  to  the  requirements  of  the  warrant, 
our  companies  accordingly  mustered,  but,  instead  of  ap- 
pearing in  t'neir  military  uniform,  they  were  dressed  in 
fiint-astic  clotlies.  Col.  T.,  of  Tliomaston.  presided  at  the 
meeting,  and  ordered  a  balloting  for  ohicers.  The  vote 
was  generally  unanimous,  but,  no  sooner  were  they  cliosen 
than  they  declined,  and  the  balloting  was  kept  up  until  the 
hour  of  adjournment.  CoL  T.,  satisfied  with  having  tlone 
his  duty,  then  (li-^^iu^sod  the  companies.  I'nder  the  ckrk 
of  one  of  the  co!n]Vi.!ues,  TH.  B..;  tlie  -^-jldiers  formed  into 
line  and  marched  fiom  the  Yellow  Sv  h-iol-house  down  ii^ro 
the  square.  Perhaps  a  more  comical  sight  was  ncNcr 
before  seen  in  this  place.  Some,  in  lieu  of  knapsacks  had 
ri  codfish  on  their  hacks  ;  others  were  orn  'nemred  with  the 
caM'hJ    air-  vud  of  diverse   anim<:J^:    ..tvc  pcr^vn-ft, 


*  March,  1S  )3,  by  [.rt-'.  L  -.ds  v.-ty  of  tlic  town,  tlu-  Poor  Farm  ■'.v-as 
solcl  t')  LoreiiT: )  BrL-.vscrr,  i -,r  .'^I  SOO. 

1  \ 


164  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

Hvidibras ;  another  represented  an  old  Continental,  and 
thus  were  they  ap])artled  in  the  most  ridiculous  modes  that 
could  be  suggested.  On  a  large  pair  of  M'heels.  (such  as 
are  used  in  ship  yards,}  a  piece  of  a  gun  barrel,  one  and  a 
half  foot  long  was  mounted,  answering  to  an  artillery  piece 
and  carriage.  H.  K.  ]^[.  B..  acting  as  colonel  pro  tem.,  was 
mounted  on  an  old  l)lind  horse,  accompanied  by  his  aids. 
In  front  of  flie  Colonel,  one  of  his  aids  carried  a  l>undle  of 
hay  upon  vrhich  v'as  a  motto  on  canvas,  something  like 
this:  —  "Come  along.*'  When  near  the  bridge,  the  Colo- 
urs jad?  sheered  oif  into  the  stream,  when  one  of  the 
duriiui  r.ids  came  to  the  rescue,  and  led  *•  the  horse  and  his 
rider"  into  the  road  again.  W'hue  the  blind  jade  was 
being  led  by  one  of  the  aids,  (J.  C)  and  was  hobbling 
along  v/ith  cautious  treaih  C,  would  occasionally  look  up 
and  inquire  gravely,  "Colonel,  does  he  go  too  fast?''  After 
thus  marching  through  the  principal  streets,  the  company 
were  disbanded,  and  thus  lor  a  season  there  were  no  com-, 
missioned  orhcers  belonging  to  our  military  companies. 

ISoS,  During  this  year  was  presented  to  the  Dem,ocratic 
party  of  Camden,  througli  tlie  influence  of  Col.  Jos.  Hall, 
the  *•  Democratic  gun,"  a  piece  of  ordnance  generally  used 
on  proper  occasions. 

In  1809,  the  Legislature  passed  a  law  by  which  officers 
coidd  be  detaded  from  different  parts  of  a  regiment  to 
command  a  company  in  a  town  vrhere  they  liad  no  otfj.cers, 
and  oblige  the  men  to  train,  Acc{)rdingly,  in  the  spring 
of  1830,  tiie  Colonel  of  the  regiment  ordered  one  F.  of 
Thomaston.  —  wiio  held  the  rank  of  Ensign  —  to  notify  the 
sol'.Iiers  of  C  unden  I{arb:)r,  to  m.  :.'t  at  tiie  town-house  for 
military  duty  and  inspection.  (Jur  people,  in  uriison  v,-ith 
public  opinion  throughout  the  State,  were  opposed  to  doing 
milit.iry  duty  under  the  then  exi^^hij;  I'w,  anil  so  but  few 
of  our  >oidi-rs  h'/ciied  the  notice,  an<i  consequently  did 
not  turn  out  co  do  duty, 

Shortlv  after,  our  sohiiers  were  sued  f>r  th.cir  fines,  winch 


HISTOliY  OF  CAMBEX.  165 

thoy  incurred  by  their  non-attendance.  It  appears  that 
Lawyer  L..  of  T.,  liad  been  computing  how  much  the  fines 
would  amount  to,  and  so,  deeminu:  it  a  payin;?  ov.craiion, 
conchidod  to  put  it  throug-h.  Our  soldiers  had  been  a))- 
pri^cd  of  tiie  intentions  thus  formed,  and  so  were  not  to 
be  taken  by  surprise. 

The  citations  were  put  into  the  hands  of  Dc-p'ity  Shcriif 
H.,  who  summoned  about  eiixhteen  of  the  company  to 
appear  at  W'est-Camden,  some  four  or  five  miles  from  their 
homes,  at  an  appointed  time,  to  nndcriro  their  triaL  While 
the  >heriti  was  on  his  wav  between  Goose  'Uver  and  C'um- 
d-  n  vill.i'je.  he  was  met  i)y  Wm.  Carlton,  Esf]..  who  advised 
him  not  to  proceed  to  further  extent  in  executing  his  writ^, 
and  tohi  him  he  had  better  return  homo,  as  it  was  a  favor- 
able season,  and  attend  to  planting.  Sheritf  H.  replied, 
that  he  had  a  lot  of  good  lat  chickens  to  pick  and  he  w.ts 
bound  to  attend  to  it.  He  then  proceeded  to  Camden 
village,  where  he  was  met  by  a  committee  of  citizens,  wlio 
remonstrated  with  him  on  his  intended  course  and  advised 
liim  t  >  d(  si>t  from  proceeding,  as  the  result  might  prove 
dis.isrrouv;  to  him.  The  sheriff  said  he  kne^v  his  duty,  ard 
was  determined  to  do  it,  and  after  thus  e-vpressing  hims  If 
he  stiirted  for  Eaton's  tavern,  (where  ^[r.  Jos.  I'laton  now 
live>^,;  and  just  as  he  andvcd  there,  a  crowd  \vhich  had 
followed  him  over.  Ljrected  him  with  a  \''"i[h  y  of  eggs,  which 
flew  thick  and  fast,  until  his  horse  and  i^fig  were  got  u.nd.er 
way  for  him  to  retrace  his  coro-se.  Fli^  h  it,  in  tiie  ni'.  in 
time,  containinij  the  summonses,  na-  knocked  orf  by  t' 
peltinu^  of  the  c'-i--,  and  its  contents  de-^troyed  before  it 
was  replaced  on  his  liead.  As  soon  as  the  sheriff  could 
get  away  from  his  assailants,  he  speedily  started  for  Ihe 
westerly  part  of  the  town,  where  he  rcsii.leii,  by  the  way  of 

*■  Fre:ri  .x--.:  ..r..j;, .  M  iiic:>>t'c's  we  li.iv  •  I  .'•■'.y  examine*!,  we 
r.ii-i  i:':  »r  \,U  luv..:  ..>  .■/lOve,  and  hoc  M/-  iux.  Mr.  Drake, 
ia  -i,i--.A.h'-^  oi  this  r.::v.iv  ,\i  l.ls  HI>r.or}-  uui  At.u  ;  as  ties  of  Boston, 
p.  Toy,  says,  it  is  "  oitc!:  >  ■      Mo'Uiic^tux  a.i.d  Mu,}  ucu.x." 


16G 


SKETCTirs  OF  THE 


The  followm,[T  Monday,  the  abused  sheriff  started  for 
Augusta,  ■u'liere  he  hiid  liis  case  before  the  (xovcmor.  The 
Governor  forthwith  sent  Adj.  Gen.  Thompson  here  to  set- 
tle the  affair.  Before  tlie  Adj.  Gen.  arrived  in  town,  tiic 
trill  of  tiiuse  who  had  been  summoned  came  on.  The 
Camden  Harbor  companies,  numbering  about  1!S0,  ton^ether 
with  other  citizens,  amountin;^;  in  all,  to  between  oOO  and 
400,  went  over  to  the  trial,  and  found  the  coiirt  had  ad- 
journed before  the  hour  of  meeting:  had  an"i^^"ed.  Accord- 
ingly, having  nothing  furtlicr  to  do,  they  returned  home. 
The  Adj.  Gen.  soon  after  arrived,  and  proposed  to  settle 
the-  affair  by  one  man  ha\"iuL:  tri;d.  with  rlie  privilege  of 
appealing,  in  case  he  was  convicted.  Tiiis  proposition  was 
at  once  acceded  to,  and  A.  'SI.  was  selected  as  the  one 
whose  nam.e  should  be  thus  placed  upon  the  docket.  M's 
case  "v\-as  accordingly  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court,  where 
jud,gnient  was  given  in  his  favor,  or,  in  other  words,  the  de- 
cision was  rendered  in  favor  of  the  soldier^,  based  upon 
the  argument  that  the  court  at  Wcst-Camden  was  adjourn- 
ed illegally.  Deputy  Sheriff  K.  afterward  went  to  court, 
•fat  Belfast.}  and  got  five  or  six  indicted  before  the  grand 
jurv,  for  being  concerned  in  the  cggini.:  affair.  As  soon  as 
the  persons  indicted  heard  of  it,  they  immediately,  by  ad- 
vice of  counsel,  went  to  Belfast  and  demanded  a  trial.  Be- 
cause of  a  fnw  in  the  indictment,  the  proceedings  were 
quashed  and  there  dropped. 

After  the  f-ipsc  of  two  years,  we  find  the  old  feeling  of 
hostility  to  the  obnoxious  military  laws  again  aroused  l^y 
Wm.  S.,  of  T.,  coming  here  to  undertake  to  make  our  mili- 
tary companies  train.  In  the  sprinu^  (jf  1H41  he  issued  a 
waiTant  fc  r  them  to  meet  .it  a  designated  time  and  place, 
but  the  call  was  uulu  e'ii.-d.  and  no  one  turned  (;ut.  Threat- 
ening: t-.j  "u  ■•  f-./u»piini'.-s  for  tli'.  'r  thu-^,  .\  nurai)er  of 
mem'  r-,  b-  :nu'  '  infimid  >.:.>■  '\.  .S'-tti-.-'.!  \\  itli  him  at  half 
prie-i.  A;'-  r  ri'iiv-aiii:^  hi^  tlsreauuiiiig-!  several  times,  a 
::u:!.b'  ;•  a*  (i'jo.sc  llixer  re<' dvtd  on  expressing  their  disap- 
proi.sutioa  of  his  course,  and,  so,  the  next  time  he  visited 


niSTOEY  OF  CAMDEN.  1G7 

the  place,  he  was  assailed  by  a  pcking  of  eggs.  Seek*;  g 
safety  by  flight,  he  was  pursued  as  far  as  John  Harknoss' 
farm,  and,  after  nnderg"oin:r  another  ordeal,  he  was  pcrnut- 
ted  to  proceed  home  without  further  molestation.  Notwitii- 
^tanding  the  harsh  treatment  he  had  received  at  the  river,  a 
day  or  two  after  he  came  to  the  harbor,  to  exact  fines  from 
the  soldiers.  Leaving  his  horse  fastened  to  a  post  for  a 
short  time,  while  he  attended  to  the  object  of  his  mission, 
tiie  animal,  by  means  of  turpentine,  became  irritated,  kick- 
ed up  and  broke  the  thills  and  harness,  which  at  once  di- 
verted Mr.  S"s  attention.  The  restive  beast,  refusing  to  bo 
(|uietc/d,  }dr.  -S.  vs'as  under  the  necessity  of  leaving  for  home. 

Notwithstanding  his  misfortunes,  and  unfavorable  recep- 
tion here,  he  had  the  temerity,  in  the  follovsdng  sprin^r. 
s^lb42,)  to  issue  another  warrant,  calling  on  the  militia  of 
this  tov/n  to  meet  at  the  town-house  on  a  certain  da} ,  to 
attend  to  military  duty.  A  large  collection  turned  out,  be- 
sides the  companies,  and,  while  the  soldiers  were  fsn-ming 
the  ranks,  a  company  of  men  disguised  as  denizens  ot  the 
forest,  representing  Megimticook  Indians,  came  out  of  the 
a<lj'>ir.lng  v.-oods  and  marched  for  the  town-house.  M  iking 
to  virds  S.,  he  drcv>'  his  sword,  and,  with  his  back  to  the 
house,  he  brandished  his  weapon,  deciarinfr  his  determina- 
tion to  defend  himself  at  all  hazards.  One  of  the  ••  In- 
dians," venturing  -within  the  circle  prohibited,  received  a 
.severe  gash  in  his  hand.  At  that  instant,  S.  rushed  thm>i!i;}i 
the  opening,  followed  by  a  numl)er  of  "  Vidians"  and  oth- 
ers. He  tried  to  terrify  them  by  turning"  round  and  threat- 
enin:r  to  slioot  them;  but,  disregarding  Ids  threats,  tlu-y 
folio ^\  ed  on,  until  the  chase  was  abandoned.  While  on  his 
way  to  In;ijaham's  corner,  he  was  met  by  a  man  who  was 
driving  a  very  fast  lini-s?,  when  he  was  in^•i*:ed  to  jump  in 
ard  ride.  Xo,"  i  •:  '-dmcd  S.,  *•  I'jn  iu  ^  u-h  a  h^lrry,  I 
Ca'i'i  -V'V,  to  ride  I"' 

X.  ihii'.^  further  wjs  .lone  about  the  a'Tii.r.  ^mtii  the  next 
fall  tvnn  of  tue  Court,  lieid  in  Belfast,  whi. S.  tried  to  get 
l-l-''- 


16S  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

a  number  indicted,  whom  he  suspected  as  having  been 
engaged  in  it,  but  for  -svant  of  evidence  the  accusations 
were  not  sustained,  and  the  charges  were  dropped. 

There  were  other  transactions  relating  to  our  military 
troubles,  which  it  miL;-ht  be  well  to  relate,  but  enoagli  has 
been  given  to  indicate  the  unpopularity  of  the  military 
laws  of  the  time,  and  a  step  is  exhibited  which  had  the 
elFect  of  finally  abolishing  a  stretch  of  power,  which  was 
repugnant  to  the  taste  of  the  mass  of  the  people  of  this 
State.  We  have  not  dwelt  upon  the  peaceable  measures 
that  were  adopted  to  avoid  a  clash  vrith  the  laws  of  the 
State;  how  some  of  our  leading  citizens  remonstrated  by 
personal  influence;  how  lengthy  petitions  v/ero  presented 
to  the  proper  authorities,  and  means  were  taken  to  restrain 
the  surcharged  feelings  of  the  masses ;  these  might  be 
presented  in  a  detailed  manner,  but  our  limited  space  for- 
bids it  here.  We  shall  not  go  into  a  justification  or  rep- 
rehension of  the  acts  of  individuals,  for  our  citizens  were 
as  much  opposed  to  oppressive  la'ivs,  a.s  they  were  to.  the 
modes  that  some,  without  their  sanction,  used  to  express  a 
feeling  of  cblsapproval.  In  other  tov^ms,  a  similar  course 
M'as  pursued.  While  our  companies  s-c  Tier  ti.iy  coniorm'>.l 
to  the  tenor  of  the  law,  those  in  the  adjoining  town  of 
Union,  '*  disregarded  all  laws  of  the  Scare,  and  all  the 
commands  of  all  military  orlicers  in  Maine,  and  pursued 
their  avocations  undisturncd  tlirougli  the  year."*'^  IMr. 
Sibley,  in  his  History  of  Union,  chives  the  J-.talls  of  tho 
militar}-  troubles  in  that  to^^  n,  and  the  farclciii  proceedings 
connected  therewith,  wldcdi  tlirows  much  i'^-'it  upon  the 
freaks  of  the  people  during  the  period  und  .r  rev  iew. 

On  the  22d  of  Dec,  -  a  citizens"  literary  society 

was  formed,  called  ^he  C'aiad'ui  Lyceum,""  of  which  the 
following  g"ntlcincn  were  cluxen  otTicers :  — ('ab  b  Thom- 
as, 'E-q.,  rrcsvd.j.'it  ;   l.;.\iu  il-rvey,   (no'.v    oi  Eeilasr,] 


*  Sibley's  IIi/t:)ry  of  Union,  p.  ZSi, 


I 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN,  160 

Secretary  and  Treasurer;  Wm.  H.  Codman,  Esq.,  E.  K. 
Smart,  Esq.,  and  Amos  Storer,  (now  of  Belfast,)  Board 
of  Directors.  Any  person  could  become  a  member  of  the 
Evoeuni  by  payinsx  twenty  five  cents  for  a  ticket,  the  ex- 
hibiting of  ^hich,  vs'as  a  pa-sport  to  any  of  the  meetintcs 
for  three  months,  at  the  expn-ation  of  which  time,  a  new 
board  of  officers  was  to  be  chosen.  The  9th  and  lOtli 
.'Vrticlco  of  the  con>tltation,  defme  the  performances  of  tlio 
association :  —  The  exercises  of  this  society,  at  each  regular 
nieecin!^,  sliall  be  a  dissertation  and  debate  by  such  mem- 
bers as  siiall  be  appointed  by  the  board  of  directors." 
Li!:h  Ai-t.  Wh.-never  tlie  board  of  directors  may  think 
j>roper,  they  may  substitute  a  Lecture  for  the  regular  ex- 
ercises of  the  society,  of  which  they  shall  give  notice  at  a 
}irevious  meeting  of  the  society."'  —  lUecords.'] 

Among  those  M'ho  gave  dissertations,  were  E.  K.  Smart, 
Esq.,  John  R.  Shaw,  Benj.  Gushing,  2d,  (now  of  Ilock- 
lind,'  X.  T.  Talbot,  and  Hiram  Bass. 

Tn'.j  tir  t  question  fi>r  discussion  was:  —  '"Does  Intellect 
exert  a  greater  intiuence  tlian  "Wealth?"  The  follov,inLr 
were  the  di-.putint-  on  tlie  question: — Simeon  Tyler.  M'. 
II.  Co<iinan,  E.  K.  Sniart,  A.  Storer,  Jos.  Perry,  I.  Bar- 
bour, J,  II.  Shaw,  C.  Ilervey,  and  A.  D.  ]vlirick.  Anotlicr 
question  was  —  ''Is  it  probable  that  the  American  llepi:b- 
lic  will  be  in  existence  at  the  close  of  the  19th  century:"' 
Disputants: — affirmative,  W.  11.  Codman,  and  Amos  tit o- 
rcr :  negative,  Caleb  Thomas  and  N.  T.  Talbot. 

As  some  of  the  dissertations  gave  evidence  of  not  lacing 
entirely  oninnal,  and  as  ungfuierous  comparisons  were  some- 
times made,  to  the  detriment  of  the  most  active  partici- 
pants in  the  exorcises,  the  f  illovring  resolutions  were  offered 
as  a  c'r^eck  to  those  wiio  were  disposed  to  be  too  captious  : 

•*  lu'-Uilwd  —  Tiiat  iusidioiis  cr>TU])arisons  between  the 
J-  ri^^i'M  iucls  of  any  of  its  ru'.iui.-.-rs,  ;ind  accusations  of 
pLh-riiig  rn^m  other  author-;,  have  a  tendency  to  discourage 
members  in  taking  part  in  the  exercises  of  the  society. 


170  SKETCHES  OF  Tirs 

and  is  a  most  iiri.i^ratefiil  reward  for  the  efforts  of  those 
persons,  who  may  consent  to  favor  the  society  with  an  orig- 
inal production. 

"Resolved  —  That  any  member  of  this  Lyceum  who 
shall,  in  prese'ice  of  persons  not  mcrahcrs,  accuse  any  other 
member  of  plagiarism,  or  literary  theft,  shall  be  held  to 
prove  the  same,  by  exhibitini?  the  stolen  passa.^e.  or  passages, 
in  the  worhs  of  some  iuirhor,  and  tliat  if  he  neglects  to 
do  this,  a  committee  shall  be  chosen  by  the  society  to 
wait  on  such  accuser,  for  the  purpose  of  requcstini^  him  to 
withdraw  from  the  Lyceum."  —  [_Iltcor'h.^ 

The  society  was  in  successfal  operation  during  the  year 
1S40,  and  was  revived  in  184;j,  at  which  time  the  follow- 
ing officers  were  chosen:  —  Simeon  Tyler,  President:  X. 
L.  Jo5s:iyn,  Vice  President;  E.  M.  ^\'ood,  Sec'y  ;  Wm. 
A.  Xorwood,  C.  Hcrvey  and  E.  Gushing,  Board  of  Direc- 
tors ;  M.  C.  Blake,  Editor.  Tlie  name  assumed,  was 
"  Megunticook  Lyceum."'  Addresses  were  delivered  by 
C.  Blake,  W.  H.  Codnidn  and  llev.  H.  M.  Eaton,  during 
the  season,  and  the  remainder  of  the  time  was  occupied  in 
re:-ding  the  papers  and  in  discussions.  Members  were  re- 
ceived in"  J  the  society  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  and  paying  an 
entrance  fee  of  2o  cents.  Ladies  were  allowed  to  vote 
when  questions  of  discussion  were  submitted  for  an  ex- 
pression of  opinion. 

At  this  time,  the  num.bor  of  members  belonging  to  the 
Lyceum.,  amiounted  to  forty-one.  Dec.  29,  1845,  was  the 
next  time  the  society  resumed  its  operations.  Lectures 
were  delivered  by  th'j  fjllowing  g'  ntlemen:  —  Dr.  ^foses 
Dakin,  of  Hope,  on  Seicred  }du-,ic  :)  Wm.  H.  Codman  ; 
M.  C.  Blake  ;.CoL  E.  K.  Smart;  X.  T.  Talbot;  C.  Pt. 
Porter,  and  Rev.  N.  Chapman,  of  Camden.  On  the  7th 
of  April,  l^to,  orcnrrid.  according  to  the  Records,)  the 
last  meetLXiLT  ot  >aid  urgani.iat;on. 

ISiO.  Duriiv^  this  year,  a  post-oiiice  was  established  at 
Goo>e  river,  ''now  ilovkport, ,  and  Siias  Piper  was  appoint- 
ed postma--tcr. 


HISTOTIY  OF  CAMDEX.  I7l 

^lay  lo.  bcGfan  to  be  published  here,  a  Democratic  paper, 
called  the  A)neriran  Clth'^n^'  of  which  ^Nfr.  John  K, 
Sha\\-  was  editor  and  proprietor.  'Mr.  Shaw  came  here  from 
^Vint!l^op,  and,  by  trade,  was  a  hatter.  Ori^xinally,  he  was 
a  whig,  of  abolitionist  proclivities,  but,  being  an  ultraist  in 
religion,  as  well  as  in  politics,  he  carried  his  radical  ideas 
into  the  church  to  which  he  belonged,  and,  because  he 
could  not  obtain  the  sanction  of  the  ininister.  Rev.  Xathaniel 
Chapman,  to  his  extreme  views,  he  transcended  the  ordinary 
limits  of  christian  freedom,  which  ultimatcd  in  the  severance 
of  his  connection  A\'ith  the  church.  Tlieroupon  Vie  became 
a  democrat,  but  his  new  political  rcl-ition  niaJe  him  no 
more  conservative  in  politics,  or  less  ultra  in  religion. 

Soon  after  changing  his  political  principles,  he  started 
the  Ameriran  Cuizen,  which  became  the  exponent  of  his 
peculiar  reliirious  and  political  notions. 

So  far  as  we  can  ascertain  what  articles  in  his  paper  cm- 
inated  fro'.n  his  pen,  we  should  judge  him  to  be  of  but  or- 
dinary abilities  as  a  '\\Titer.  In  the  style  of  his  composi- 
tion he  was  rough  and  impetuous,  and,  in  driving  his  shafts 
at  his  opponents,  he  was  not  choice  in  the  selection  of  ep- 
ithets, or  at  a  loss  to  find  words  with  which  to  express  his 
deepest  feelings. 

Extracts  from  the  following  prospectus  of  his  paper,  show 
the  ind'n:idnalify  of  the  man,  better  than  we  can  describe 
it. 

Prospectus  of  the  Amerirna  CUk>ni  :  —  Thi^>  })  ipcr.  it 
may  be  distiar-tly  understood,  \\\\\  '^pytoie  the  elecciijn  of 
Willbim  H.  Harrison  to  the  Presidency. 

We  ^liall  endeavor,  in  our  course,  to  soar  above  those 
sclfi-h  and  -ectional  considerations,  which  have  a  tendency 
to  divide  tiic  r;mks  ot  the  dcm<)!Tacy  of  the  countr}",  and, 
in  tiic  Trv.'.iri  ti';v.'.  (.•n<l''.i  vt  to  !v'.r:-'V»nizo  and  conerutrate 
our  power,  by  huldnrj:  up  ro  view  riie  gi-e  it  priucir-les  of 
democracy,  as  taught  by  .Jctfersoji  and  carried  out  in  prac- 
tice by  Jackson. 


172  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

One  gi-eat  object  of  our  enterprise  will  be  to  contrast 
the  character  of  an  American  citizen  with  that  of  a  subject 
of  a  monarchy  or  a  money  aristocracy. 

The  American  C'itizen  is  to  be  neither  an  mflep  sfyAer's 
nor  an  njl-e  J.oid':r's  or;^an,  but  is  expressly  for  the  people. 

It  will  observe  neutralit}-  on  no  subject  which  relates 
directly  or  indirectly  to  the  riii'hts,  interests,  or  happiness 
of  mai)  ;  for  we  hold,  that  for  a  citizen  of  this  republic  to 
be.  neutral,  at  this  day,  is  a  crime^  and  evinces  that  such  an 
one  is  either  a  fuol  or  a  I: nave. 

It  will  be  under  no  human  censorship,  either  ecdesias- 
ileal,  c-vii  or  poi'tiyt',  but  Wj  shall  endeavor,  in  conduct- 
ing it,  to  assume  all  tliose  natural  rights  and  liberties 
peculiarly  and  appropriately  belonging  to  a  citizen  of  a 
republic,  aaienablt  oiil}-  for  the  abuse  of  them,  to  God,  and 
the  laws  of  oiu*  country. 

"We  shall  endeavor,  (having  been,  for  nearly  ten  years, 
led,  bound  and  blind,  in  the  dark  and  hopeless  mazes  of 
British  federalism.;  to  i,ib>;r  particidarly  to  extricate  and  re- 
store, 'especially  tli.it  portion  of  the  sovereign  p<jople  whom 
the  wily  I'-ailers  of  t":c  British  party  in  America  have  so 
long  held  in  l>ond,i„a',,  to  the  rniArdAe  and  ever  glorious 
estate  of  ^ii"-riraii  cdtzf^nshio. 

'•All  religions  wdl  be  tolerated,  from  Paganism  up  to 
Morraonism,  but  none  may  expect  any  ^^Trf/c^r'ar  protec- 
tion, as  thjy  must  staud  or  tail  upon  their  own  ifiliA'roit 
merits.  We  say  of  tliese,  what  the  heroic  Jackson  was 
accused  of  siiyinu"  of  a  certain  class.  —  'Those  v.  ho  trade 
on  borrow -id  cajtir.-l  o::giit  to  bn-csk.'  So  of  these,  if  their 
invested  cnijitni  >fi>r:.:  ii  •■ifh,  is  not  sutticiently  large  to 
sustain  them,  they  '■'/'lit'  t'l  br-ak. 

•'  We  si  10 11  (•i)n.>idLr  no  [)Owers  or  chartet-'-d  rorport^tions, 
pr..f'--d;);;>  or  di^Mi^-    b.  th--  r-.McU  of  ;  r'ln  i-di  [..^i  and 

im.fi^'t':;; ni'  iit  by  tin:  re:  p  'Mii!  ':  th' r;'!'or;'.  if  there 
be  any  such  powers  wiriua  the  iundcrs  of  our  republic, 
\\\\o  can".jt  bear  the  rigid  scrutiny  of  piercing  li'jiit  and 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN.  173 

scorching  truth,  the  people  shall  have  the  humhle  aid  ^vhicli 
the  colanins  of  the  American  Citizen  may  afford,  to  facili- 
tate them  in  piercing  and  srorch.liin  them,  until  they,  in 
tiie  hitterness  of  their  souls,  (if  they  have  any.)  shall  cry 
out,  cnou;^h.  "Jonx  K.  Shaw. 

"Camden,  ^[ay  13,  184v0. 
X.  B,  ^Ve  shall  not  '  be  hired'  to  publish  any  Pl'ls,  ex- 
cept Bread  Pills,  and  no  /•■'s,'0/•a^^■v^^^  except  Xn tares  save- 
rel'jn  onc,  viz.,  that  o{  fr^  e  rx^^rrl.^e  in  tlie  op^'n  nlr." 

Alter  a  career  of  five  months,  Sept.  2o.  18  }0.'  tlic  edi- 
tor made  the  foUowinLj  announcement :  —  -*  We  are  compel- 
led to  state  to  our  readers,  that,  for  want  of  sutii'.-iciit  ]>ar- 
rana<,'e,  the  Citizen  must  be  suspended,  probably  not  a^jain 
to  he  revived.  Our  paper  has  been  kept  up  mostly  at  the 
expense  of  a  few  democratic  citizens,  its  subscription  beini^ 
in^uuicient  to  defray  half  the  expenses  of  its  publication. 
We  re^xret  that  our  pecuniary  atfairs  are  such  as  to  render 
it  nece.s>ury  for  us  to  take  leave  of  the  public,"*  i\:c. 

Mr.  Shaw  was  doubtless  honest  in  his  course  of  action, 
and,  as  a  nun  of  upri^litness  of  purpose,  he  ^^'as  respected 
',v  'h'^-e  even  who  liad  occasion  to  censure  him  for  liIs  rad- 
ieuiism  and  eccentricities.  Soon  after  his  paper  ceased,  hv 
closed  up  his  hat  business  and  left  this  place.  He  is  now 
a  resident  of  California. 

This  year  will  ever  be  remembered  as  that  of  the  '"L02; 
Cabin  and  Hard  Cadef'  political  campaii::n.  It  ^a-IH  be 
recollected  that  tliere  was  a  uTcat  Harrisonian  Convention 
held  in  Belfast  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  that  upon  tiie  oc- 
casion, a'-loj;  cabin"  was  hauled  in  from  Montvil:.-.  and 
that  '*  h.ird  cider"  was  the  principal  beveraL^-e  iv-^  nl  hy 
those  who  participated  in  tlie  celebration.  Tlie  ■Wlii;j;s  .^f 
Camden  were  represented  by  a  bi):it  loail  of  sea  c;4)ta:ns 
and  ira.-r-,  v:],n  lia'di'd   tir.-ir  T)?)''.  v^:\<[rl<,  aud  'ii;d.T 

waivin.:,'  tiiu-:  journeyed  to  iJ-liasr,  followed   by  a 

Ion;;  procession  uf  (M:Ti;e.:.-.s  Mlk-l  v.-::h  ard-nt  Harris., nites, 
w]!u>e  CTitliii.siri>;a  was   often   expressed,  as   they  passed 


174  SKETCHES  OF  TTtE 

alonsT,  by  chccrinp:  lustily  for  their  canditlate.  Democrats 
looked  upon  the  aetious  of  their  Whip:  opponents  A\ith 
hij,h  disfavor.  They  disrelislied  the  strons:  tide  tliat,  to 
outward  appearance,  was  dra^\•inl2:  tl^^c  greater  crowd  to 
assist  in  cle\atiriC  Harrison  to  the  Presidential  chair. 

It  is  amusinLT  to  road,  after  the  excitement  of  a  political 
content,  the  hard  sayings  that  luive  been  uttered  on  the 
spur  of  the  moment,  by  the  editors  of  the  papers '  of  the 
contending  parties.  We  v.ill  refresh  the  minds  of  some 
of  our  readers,  by  quoting  an  extract  from  an  article  wTitten 
by  John  II.  Shaw,  vvhich  app^'ared  in  the  Ameriran 
C:^'.zen,"  under  date  of  July  10th,  18-10  :  — The  Whigs 
had  a  poicicoic  at  Belf.ist  on  tlie  fourth,  and  from  what  we 
can  learn,  we  are  satisfied  that  it  was  a  total  failure.  We 
learn  that  the  miserable,  contemptible  tom-foolcry  of  the 
Federal  party,  was  exhibited  by  hauling  a  '  I<og  Cabin  made 
out  of  shils,  from  }^Iont^-ille  to  Belfast  I  What  a  conternpt- 
nof'-s  idea  these  rv^fivj-sJicrt  Whigs  mu>t  have  of  the  people, 
when  they  suppose  that  by  hauling  '  liOg  Cabins'  about, 
parading  in  '  coon  skins,'  and  '  skunk  skins,'  and  bellowing 
hurrah  for  Harri-on.'"  they  can  advance  tlicir  cause.  We 
are  som*  to  say  th;.t  our  (luiet  village  was  disturbed  on  the 
night  of  the  fourtli  by  boisterous  ivhooping  and  v.proai\ 
caused  by  the  llarrisonites  who  had  just  returned  from 
Beliast."  ' 

It  was  during  this  campaign  that  tl:c  Whig  gun  was 
purchased.  Also  the  fiag-^turi"  in  front  of  Dr.  Estabrook's 
omce  was  raised.  A  "  clam  chowder"  v.'  i;^  an  attractive 
feature  of  the  occasiMii,  at  the  dis[;a!ching  ■■'-i  ixich,  toasts 
were  given,  inter -persod  with  in-icf  remarks. 

Tiie  strength  of  tlie  two  political  parties  at  the"  Septem- 
ber elec'-io]i  may  t)  ■  ^^-jn  in  the  re^^ult  c(  "he  vote  fov 
lb;;:-~-;n-i^ivr.  ^,   '  1/ -M,,turr  ;  —  i'-'.^t  ballot, 

S:_    '       :'-.-''.v^,  J)2  vatos  :  Sa;^;h  U.  Adams, 

(  \\  .[^  ■)  ■'.  ■)'.  :  ....'t'  -.'ir.g,  11  votes.  Tliere  being  no 
ci:"i':e,  tiie  r'\"e:.in_-  ad;  lam  d  to  tho  21st  of  the  month, 


! 


1 


KISTOPvY  OF  CAMDEN.  17.5 

when  tlie  second  ballot  was  as  follows: — Barrc.vs,  313; 
Adani5.  olT;  scattering,  4.  The  selectmen  declared  that 
no  clioice  was  made,  and  ordered  another  election.  The 
Whi::rs  considered  the  contest  decided  in  their  favor,  and 
so  ab-taia:  1  'Vouixounr  at  the  adjourn'-'d  meeting.  Tl:e 
Democrats  actended,  pursuant  to  notidcarion,  wlien  the 
votes  were  cast  as  follows  :  —  Snephen  Barrov/s,  207  ;  Joh 
Hodgman,  1.  The  case  belno:  carried  beibre  the  Lc^xisha' 
tnre  for  arbitrament,  it  was  decided  in  favor  of  }dr.  Adams, 
who  according;!}-  took  hi?  scac  in  that  body. 

1341.  The  great  Temperance  Reform  commonly  called 
the  "Wasiilncrtoaiii-n  Cause."'  was  at  t;i:s  time  attracting? 
great  atteniion.  In  this  ta\s'n  the  commendable  movement 
was  endorsed  by  the  formation  of  an  association  styled  the 
*'C":niden  Independent  Temperance  Society,"  which  was 
organized  July  Gth.  It  v,  as  true  to  the  intent  and  meaning 
of  the  title  under  whicii  ic  was  iinovrn,  as  may  be  surmised 
by  the  followinc;  extract  from  the  Constitution:  —  "We 
de-ire  no  connection  whatever  as  a  Society  with  any  other 
Temperance  Society  in  this  town  or  in  the  world,  or  with 
persons  v.-ho  are  now  in  regular  standing  with  such."  This 
or  ,'anization  was  the  means  of  doing  incalculable  good  in 
thiS  place,  as  many  vrho  then  signed  tiie  pledge  became 
practical  temperance  men  for  life.  In  the  first  book  of  the 
records,  now  before  us,  we  find  128  names  appended  to 
the  pledge,  ^vhich  reads  as  follows: — AVe,  the  und-T- 
sigr.ed.  pkdge  our:>elves,  that  we  will  not  use  intoxicating 
h-  .  :  us  a  beverage,  nor  countenance  the.  use  of  them  in 
r-i.'.er-  h'om  tiiis  time,  henceforth  and  forever." 

year  tbe  >'ime  time,  a  "  iNIartha  "Wa.^hington  Society" 
was  or_'  aii/ed  by  ladies,  but  not  having  the  records  before 
us.  we  cannot  <jive  the  data.  The  tsvo  societies  had  a 
gre  c-dchra'.ijrt  on  the  4th  of  July,  1842,  at  winch  were 
]  '  ' L.v-/..  iii..'!-  a;,h  W'c^t-Camd'm  associations, 
a-i  '.  fi  LLions  irom  a  num'oer  of  the  neii^hboring  towns. 
A  largo  t:.nr.  v.-as  erected  on  the  spot  where  the  old  meetmg- 


176  SKETCHES  or  THE 

house  used  to  stand,  under  which  was  arrjino-ed  tables 
loaded  with  savory  viands,  puddinL!;s,  pastries,  jellies,  jams, 
co::''  ^  "V  O^c.  A  j>rocession,  lUider  an  escort  of  an 
in^^  :.  .  -■■ULary  coaipany  ironi  2s urlliport,  commanded 
by  L'apt.  W'itliLrhy,  marched  to  Goose  Kiver,  where  the 
^ifarrha  AVashhiirtcjus  of  the  Idter  place  were  represented 
by  Mi-s  Si)phia  T.  G.  ^il^rriuni.  ia  ],rv- ■•]\iln^,  with  appro- 
priate remai-ks,  a  splendid  ijanner  to  the  Goose  liiver 
Indr  pendent  Temperance  Society,  ^'oa  v\  hich  was  the  motto^ 
"Hope  for  the  fallen,")  which  was  received  by  Mr.  Keuben 
Leland  h\  their  behalf,  by  a  brief,  pertinent  acceptation 
speech.  The  procession  then  proceeded  to  the  Camden 
Congregationalist  church,  where  tiicy  listened  to  an  able 
address  from  ]SI.  C.  Blake,  Esq.,  then  of  this  town.  The 
large  concourse  were  then  conducted  to  the  place  of  refresh- 
ments, where  justice  was  done  to  tlie  sumptuous  feast 
prepared  for  them.  After  the  v\-ants  of  the  inner  man" 
were  satisfied,  Capt.  \\'m.  A.  Xomvood  read  a  report  of 
the  society,  after  which,  toa,>ls  were  jxlven  to  a  liberal 
extent,  and  the  proceedings  w^^ro  terminated  by  salvos  of 
artillery.     [See  liejjuhUcan  Jonyw:'!.  of  July  15,  1S42.] 

The  Independent  Temperance  Society,  at  the  Harbor 
village,  was  re-organized  Marcii  7,  IS  14,  at  which  time 
the  following  gentlemen  were  chosen  as  officers  :  —  Abr'm 
Ogier,  President;  E.  M.  Wood,  Treasurer,  and  N.  L. 
JossehvTi,  Secretiry.  The  last  meeting  of  which  a  record 
is  made,  was  held  on  the  ath  of  April,  which  indicates  a 
brief  career.  Thus  closes  the  period  of  one  of  the  most 
important  temperance  movements  tluit  h.as  enga^red  the 
attention  of  our  citi/.ens. 

1S42.  Aug.  8th,  a  Youtirs  Temperance  Society  Vv'as 
organlze<l  at  the  Ihirbor.  It  numbered  about  100  members. 
At  a  celebration  ';r  r>ir.:iic,  heli  during  th.e  surnn\er,  a 
banner  'A  ei.>  prc-.-jul-.-d  hy  \o;:ug  nii.-Nses,  tin-ouga  Mi;-;s 
Jo^^ph-iie  S..>v:-go,  in  a  daort,  pithy  sp'-ech,  to  Master 
Win.  K.  Porto.-.  •  - of  H.  J.  I'.>rt<-r '  P.  M.  i  wlio  received 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEX.  177 

it  in  behalf  of  tlic  Yout/i's  Temperance  Society,  with  a 
brief  and  pertinent  speech  in  reply.  The  renuircnKiit-^  ';f 
menihcr-^hip  con-isted  in  >li:7\inLC  the  phdze.  Tn.i.s  juvenilo 
cr.c'i nidation  lasted  one  >eas':n,  and  then  ceased. 

1::  :h;j  month  of  Aup:u<t,  the  U.  S.  steam  fri;iatc  Mi-- 
sonri,  on  h^r  vi-it  to  this  place,  anchored  inside  of  "  the 
Lcdijes/'  An  opportunity  bvin.i?  atlbrded  our  citizens  to  pro 
on  board  and  examine  the  iri::;are,  very  many  availe»l  them- 
selves of  the  priTilc'jre.  During  the  day  time,  boat-,  were 
continually  plyin;^  back  and  forth,  filled  with  visitors  iroinor 
and  returning.  And  tiie  si-Lrlit  vras  well  vs'orth  seeirur.  as 
we  can  attest  from  personal  observation.  It  vn-..is  t  •  b( 
steam  frigate,  we  think,  there  was  in  the  U.  S.  ='Cr\ife, 
Many  of  the  officers  visited  the  turnpike,  ascended  the 
mountains,  and  delighted  themiselves  in  viewing  our  pictur- 
esque scenery.  After  remaining  here  some  three  or  four 
days,  the  Missouri  proceeded  to  Rockland,  whore  she  was 
likewise  visited  by  a  large  number  of  people. 


ITS 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


Secret  Societies  —  O  hi  Ti^lou  s  —  llo-orLrani/Ccinoa  ol  the  Ma^ou- 
ic  Lr>J>jf-3  —  Sous  of  T^iTipcr  lUL'e —  iJivisioii  organized  —  Oxiiceri  — 
A  Celebration  —  Di>soiiitioii  oi  tiie  ov^rani/arion  —  Leuuchamp  Di- 
viM'm  — Mt.  Pl'-as:^at       v;-iou  —  i.  O.  of  O.  F.  Lod^ze  — 

A  lievani!^  Oittb  aud  I.yct  ibrtuo  1 —  I-udios'  Library  formed 
at  Goo-e  River — Ti/inple  of  lienor  Lo'l^'j  :  ■!.-:aed  —  Records,  ^:c., 
V'ur-j'rd  —  E:"?.ss  lltind  —  Meinbt-rs —  iv.'iur!.-i':ii)  Liii^iit  biulc —  Cam- 
do.^  .r^..:.d  a  y'  ;  ■   'j:   entry  —        .v  .:  ^:c::;y  o.'oaed  ixnd  closed 

name  of  Ooc-se  liivti*  cbauaed  to  ib/j.^'.i.rc  —  i.biu-eti  a  Js'e.vspa- 
jjer  di6Cus>iou — Tbe  J'^iue  Tree  .Su<a,  cutupai^-u  i^heec — Its  Cir- 
culation, S.- —  Elecrioii  —  A  iire  —  Ship-buiIduiLT  interest  —  Tele- 
grapii  —  Tt;...;er:iuce  "vVat.i.iiiaii'tj  L'lub  formed  —  Au  American 
C'ou::i;il  establisaed — Anecdotes — Xumerical  strength  of  Politi- 
cal Parties  —  Brass  Band  organized  —  Membors  —  Bugle  x-TP^-ntetl 
to  th'.'  Leader — The  Canideu  Moaiitainecrs — Oiticers  —  Vv'est  Cani- 
den  PuiiLe  Comr^any  —  Political  afllurs. 


rpHEKE  are  la^^■s  of  the  human  mind  ^^-hich  develop 
1^  rlienisel-.es  <jnly  in  social  aisenibiies,  at  irregular 
periods  of  time,  and  under  pjcculiar  circumstances. 
The  world  abounds  in  such  exam^des,  and  in  no  instance 
more  strikingly  than  in  the  history  of  secret  societies. 
In  most  very  sizable  village  in  this  country,  some  kind  of 
a  mystic  fraternity  has  liad  its  season  of  papular  favor  or 
time  of  unusual  pro-^pcrify.  Such,  we  will  illustrate,  hai 
been  the  -^ase  in  this  towji. 

iSdo.  At  tills  tiuio  tlie  ''Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Follows"  was  spreading  rapidly  rhiouLrhout  the  United 
Stares,  and  in  the  -^in;:'.';r  .d'  this  yvar,  the  Lafliyette  L^vige 
was  i::.':--:^vd  at  G^'  j-  '.i  -.r.  It  nanibcred  soinethiug  like 
forty  niornoers,  and  after  an  crastcnce  of  between  two  and 
thret;  years,  the  organization  uvas  dissolved  by  returning 
the  cha^r^.. 


IIlSTOrcY  OF  CAMDLX, 


179 


1846.  The  great  Anti-Masonic  excitement,  consequent 
upon  the  rumors  concernin<;  the  death  of  ^Morgan,  was  a 
paralizin<j:  blow  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  throughout  the 
ieni;:h  and  breadth  of  the  land.  Like  many  other  matters  of 
niibiic  interest,  poliricians  availed  themselves  of  the  cr^'- 
dulity  of  the  people,  and  made  the  unknown  fate  of  poor 
Morgan  a  hobby  upon  which  to  ride  into  otlice.  There  v/cro 
Anti-Mason  candidates  for  every  office,  from  that  of  Presi- 
dent and  Governor,''-'  down  to  the  expectant  of  a  constable's 
otHce.  It  is  easy  to  conceive,  that  the  order  in  this  place, 
Amity  Tod^^e,  mit^lit  liave  experienced  somewhat  of  the 
blightin':!;  etfects  of  the  hard  sayings  that  were  gratuitously 
lavished  upon  all  who  dared  to  avow  themselves  craftsmen 
of  said  fraternity.  In  common  with  the  greater  part  of 
the  Lodges  in  the  United  States,  the  one  in  this  tov/n 
suffered  an  eclipse,  wliich  lasted  from  1832,  to  1846,  —  a 
period  of  fourteen  years.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  6th  of 
]March,  of  the  latter  named  year,  John  ^Millor,  Esq.,  of 
Warren,  came  over  and  re-organized  the  Lodge,  by  install- 
ing officers,  and  imparting  to  them  the  necessary  instruc- 
tions. The  immeddate  cause  of  resuscitating  the  Order 
here,  was  the  desire  on  the  part  of  the  ori£rmai  members, 
not  to  be  superseded  by  the  Odd  Fellows.  In  a  short  time 
the  Masons  outvied  their  com.pctitor,  and  now  survive  it. 

While  the  Odd  Fellows  were  successfully  carrying  their 
standard  into  every  place  petitioned  for,  the  Sons  of  Tem- 
perance started  on  a  career  of  usefulness,  and  in  a  few 
months,  'becamic  the  most  popular,  in  this  State,  of  all 
other  similar  organizations.  In  tiiis  town,  a  Division  nam- 
bcrcd  2 ^^'as  organized  in  tiie  evening  of  the  Gth  of 
]Marcri,  1846 — the  snme  day  in  v>liich  the  , Masons  were 
reinstated.  At  the  first  meeting,  th'-  following  otiieers  were 
installed:  —  Col.  Nicholas  Berry.  W.  P.  :  Thomas  Kirk, 


•  Thomas  A-  ITill  w:v-  tlie  AntL-Jlasonic  cancliviaU,-  for  Goyernor 
in  this  State,  i  ia  l'^3"<,  i  aiid  receiv:d  t  -o  vofes  in  this  town. 


ISO  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

^V.  A.;  Edward  Cu.shing,  R.  S.  ;  Joseph  S.  Rogers,  A. 
R.  S.  ;  Geo.  W.  Cobb.  ¥.  S.  ;  Jonathan  Edwards  Adams, 
T.  ;  Yv'm.  A.  Xorwood,  C.  ;  George  W.  Richards,  A.  C.  ; 
Joseph  H.  KosiJi'-jr,  L  wS.  ;  Nathan  Pierce,  Jr.,  0.  S.,  and 
R.ev.  James  Tiiur-rcn,  Chaplain. 

The  causs  of  temperance  received  a  new  impetus  through 
the  manifest  zeal  of  the  Sons,  as  many  were  induced  by 
the  ir.hutnces  of  the  vov.  s  required,  to  abstain  from  the 
use  of  inioxicafing  bev'  rn'..;es.  d^d  to  live  according  to  the 
elevating  sentiinents  promulgated  by  the  Order. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  I'-^  iS,  t-\e  Sons  of  Temperance 
Divisions  in  this,  and  tiie  n  jrin:.:  towns,  had  a  celebra- 
tion here.  Tiiey  formed  a  procession  trom  the  hail,  and 
under  banners,  and  in  regalia,  marched  through  the  princi- 
p\i  iTcv's,  proccd-d  b}'  tac  Caiatlen  Brass  Band,  and  then 
proceeded  to  the  grove  near  Mount  Batty  Cemetery,  where 
they  listened  to  an  oration  from  one  of  our  townsmen,  Mau- 
ri :e  C.  Blake,  Esq.,  .jiow  County  Judge  in  San  Francisco.) 
aicer  which  they  repaired  to  tlie  t.i.bi:^s  spread  beneath  the 
oak  trees  opposite  to  Hon.  E.  K.  Smart's  house,  to  indulge 
in  a  feast  of  reason  and  a  how  of  soul."  Because  of  the 
unpropitious  state  of  the  Aveather  in  the  early  part  of  tiie 
day,  it  ^-as  presum*;d  there  would  not  be  a  large  attend- 
ance, and  so  ample  preparations  were  not  made  for  the  great 
number  present.  Something  Iiice  hve  hundred  sat  down  to 
tiie  tables,  and,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  dinner,  thirteen 
salutes  were  nred,  whicii  clo'^ed  tlio  programme. 

This  Division  numbered  something  like  two  'hundred 
members.  The  pla.ce  of  meeting  was  in  the  Geo.  Pendle- 
ton hail,  attic  st^jry,  v  h.rn  ^v^s  desrroyed  by  fire  in  1853. 

The  organization  continued  untd  .March  4,  1852,  when 
the  number  bec^jne  reduced  to  about  twenty  members,  w^hen 
it  was  diiSOived,  and  the  funds  divid-.d  among  th'Tn. 

M.  r.::.  i,  i":-!',  ■.-.■:!..-: .La^','.;  at  (..oo^t  iUvt-r.  Beauciianip 
Division.  Xo,  71,  '.jI  u.ir  fjllowtng  gcnllcurcn  were 

chosen  otiicer!? :  —  II.  W.  Pip-r.  "W.  P.;  J.  \V.  P.irrri'ige. 


l' 


5 


HISTOEY  OF  CAMDEX.  LSI 

W.  A. ;  E.  W.  Harknes?,  E.  S.;  S.  F.  Marks,  A.  R.  S. ; 
A.  Sweetland,  F.  S.  ;■  A.  ^IcAIlister,  T.  ;  D.  Farnham,  jr., 
C.  ;  E.  A.  Withingcon,  A.  C.  :  S.  Libby,  I.  S.  ;  and  J.  S. 
Eells.  O.  S.  Duriii'z  tlie  same  year,  ]N[r.  Pleasant  Division, 
Xo.  So,  v,-as  orii-anized  ac  In:rraham"s  corner,  and  the  foliow- 
inj  ofricers  v/ere  insta.lled  :  — Tolman.  W.  P.  ;  H.  H. 
Ingraham,  W.  A.  ;  A.  T.  Lo^v,  R.  .s.  ;  A.  Younir.  A.  R.  S.  ; 
d/ Tolman,  F.  S.  ;  L.  Hall,  T. :  J,  Faood,  :  W.  Orbe- 
toiK  A.  C;  R.  Pn-raliam,  1.  S.  ;  and  O.  Edwards,  O.  S. 
These  two  Divisions  continued  a  prosperous  existence  a,> 
Ions  as  the  one  at  (       I.  n  '-  i,';Iau"o,  and  -were  then  dissolved. 

'M?A\  1847,  on  p  u  .],,-•.  Perry  and  other.s.  an  I.  O. 
of  O.  F.  was  formed  at  the  Harbor  vilhi'2;c,  called  the  A'esper 
Lod-:,'e.  It  numbered  thirty-odd  members,  and  continued 
until  June.  1849,  when  it  ceased. 

During  this  year,  (1847.)  a  Debating  Club  and  Lyceum, 
composed  of  young  men  and  ladies,  was  formed.  Josepli 
Dyer,  then  an  apprentice  at  the  tin  r/iate  business,  .and 
lately  ^slayor  of  the  city  of  Sacramento,  California,  was  one 
of  the  Vice-Presidents.  Perhaps  it  might  not  properly  be 
termed  a  Lyceum,  as  it  partook  more  of  the  character  of  an 
exhiiiition.  It  continued  one  season,  during  whis^h  time, 
tiitee  public  exhibitions  were  given,  from  which  about  ^70 
were  realized,  which  was  divided  among  the  thirty  members 
belonging  to  the  Club. 

1848.  During  this  year  the  Ladies'  Library,  at  Goose 
River,  was  established,  and  Mrs.  Alex.  Martin  was  chosen 
Librarian,  and  iMrs.  Lucy  Piper.  Treasurer.  Tlie  library, 
at  our  present  wTitiuL',  numJ.)ers  about  GOO  volumes. 

Tlie  Temple  of  Honor  co:anienced  operations  at  Camden 
vilhj.:^-.^  this  year,  under  the  title  of  Excelsior  Lod,2e,  No.  4. 
In  tnis  society  there  was  a  •*  Social  Di-gree.  '  iu  wLich  la- 
die>  participated  both  in  the  .■■tvernmeni  and  nMnn^-rinent. 
'iuey  ixixd  a  pai«  i/;  p-TT'/rm  in  r.'uo  •-:.:-n',n:;  .» u.i  ••.■>-!ing  ex- 
ercises, and  ai.-')  !-i  the  i:;iriiith>n.  fhi^  .•d...r  jiumbercd 
about  iiftvm.d'.  the  same  nu-n''jer  of  i(.malcs.    It  con- 


182  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

tinned  in  an  active  state  until  Nov.,  I800,  when  the  hall, 
containing  their  repralia  and  records,  ^vas  destroyed  by  fire. 

It  ^^■dl  thus  be  seen,  from  the  consecutive  account  we 
have  given,  that,  v,ithin  the  compass  of  a  few  years,  there 
was  an  r..pp:;rent  fondness  in  the  mass  of  our  citizens,  for 
gratifying  that  peculiar  ta^ve  of  the  mind,  which  exhibits 
itself,  by  being  imbosomed  in  a  mystic  fraternity. 

Oct.  26,  1848,  a  Musical  Association  was  organized,  call- 
ed the  Camden  Brass  Band,  of  v\-hich  the  faIlov,in';i  vv-ere 
members:  —  Paul  Stevens,  (Leader,)  Lorenzo  Swett,  iJd.  B. 
"Withingtom  Jas.  Cusic.  Thos,  AVood,  Jacob  Anderson,  jr., 
Edmund  Barnes,  TJwIn  K.  Tyler,  Theo.  P.  Tyler,  Geo. 
Berry,  Geo.  P.  Gilkey,  and  Austin  Hosm.er.  The  instru- 
ments were  brass,  each  member  owning  the  one  he  used. 
The  organization  lasted  about  tv,-o  years,  when  the  number 
was  broken  by  deaths,  and  removals,  and,  not  affording 
to  incur  the  expense  necessary  for  its  continuance,  it  was 
dissolved. 

1849,  An  Act  of  Congress  was  approved  ^[arch  od, 
v^dnich  appropriated  83.500  for  budding  a  Light  House  on 
Beauchamp  point,  or,  more  properly,  on  Indian  Island, 
which  is  connected  to  tlie  point  by  a  bar,  which  is  passable 
at  low  water.  This  appropriation  was  obtained  by  the  Hon. 
E.  K.  Smart,  a  citizen  of  this  town,  v/ho  was  then  a  member 
of  Congress.  Tlie  Light  House  was  built  the  following 
-  year,  to  accommodate  the  harbor  of  Goose  Iliver  village, 
Sdas  Piper  was  the  hr-t  appointed  light  keeper,  and  was 
succeeded,  in  18o3,  by  Wm,  jIcLaughlin,  who,  in  turn, 
was  succeeded  by  the  present  keeper,  Eichard  Grinnel,  in 
1J5.-37. 

1S49.  One  of  the  most  important  e^.ents  in  the  history 
of  this  town  —  as  a  source  of  revenue,  ;tnd  as  a  cause  of 
prosperity  —  occurred  ?ui>  year,  ]>y  Con'j:rc>s  croariuG:  this 
pl.iiu  J.  [r,-:t  ot  tn-.r-.'.  auii  .icrnug  '..cf  .-^-'.iic  of  the  r,.dncipal 
islands  of  Ponob-cnt  t.'iiiketion  District,  to  the  District  in 
which  Camden  is  embraced. 


HISTORY  OF  CA:\[DEX. 


183 


T]ii>  tonsil  ^va^  inadc  a  port  of  delivery,  and  included  in 
the  Waldoborouah  District.  j-Larch  2d,  17;)9.  and  Joseph 
E;iton.  ic  is  believed,  vvas  the  tirst  revenue  oHicer  opiinintcd 
at  this  Tdace.  Camden  c■:^ntinaed-  in  ^Valdoboro"  District 
nntd  April  1^1^,  at  which  time  the  Bclflist  Collection 
District  was  e-^rabh-hed.  which  include;!  *■  all  the  r»orts 
and  harbors  on  the  ^ve-rern  ■^iioro  vi  tiit  Penobscot  bay 
and  river,  from  the  town  of  Cair.den  to  the  town  of  Bani^or 
inclusive."  As  above  alluded  to.  the  towns  of  Vinalh'iven, 
Nitrth  Haven  and  Islesboro'  were  tra as ferr(Mi  from  the 
renobscot  Collection  District  to  mat  of  IJ-lhi--"  in  the  year 
DbU',  during'  the  session  of  the  tliiitutli.  Ceu^r -s:,.  This 
transfer  was  the  occasion  of  an  animated  struggle  between 
Col.  JSniart  of  the  5  th,  and  iMr.  'Williams  of  the  6th  Con- 
g-ressional  District.  It  was  seen  by  both  gentlemen,  that 
it  would  necessarily  transfer  the  principal  part  of  the  lucra- 
tive business. of  fitting  out  fishermen,  from  Castine,  where 
Mr.  Williams  resided,  to  this  town,  the  place  of  residence 
of  Col.  Smart.  After  a  sharp  conflict,  tne  tran>ler  \va<: 
fin.ailv  made.  Just  ]M-evi!)us  to  this.  Col.  S.  liad  <leternuned 
for  rhv  (  ir,'  -v:!  Hou^e  officer  here,  the  riirbt  to  transact  all 
l>us.:>v>s  wnich  could  be  done  at  the  ]>ririci];al  port  in  this 
Collection  District,  tiiereby  takin;^-  awav  the  burden  of 
travL-hng  eighteen  miles  to  Belfast,  which,  lic-'l  been  nitherto 
borne  by  the  citizens  of  Camden  and  Ai-inity.  The  ois- 
tanc  ■  to  tills  town,  bein.q-  nearer  }ha:i  to  Castine,  tj-om 
Viirdh  ivi-n  and  Xorth  Haven,  and  tiiere  'icIng  here  fucll:- 
t ran ^a ct in u*  ''very  description  nf  i  "us torn  House 
ba^::v  — .  !a-._;riy  t:,,  •  fi^^-ot  of  ri^h;  ;;::p.  i  bclon-'n-  Ij 

tiie>e  towns,  imnivoi  a(,:y  repaired  to  thi>  pl-tce  to  tit  out, 
and  ior  ail  purposes  in  c^uinection  w'ldi  tivar  vova'j:es. 

ly-H.  A\  h  the  h  • :  .-d'  r:  ceivin'g  >.  ^•■^■••io.-r^-ement  from 
the  State  hy       _  [  :ui  \o:      •    .    n-as  op'Ui.'d 

during  the  latter  y..r  .,[  th;-^  v.-.r,  ai;  i    ih.t- 

terfield  was  enc-v„'..d  a^  p-rlu-dpah  S;\cy-'.'-ut  schukirs 
attended  during  t^ie   i::<r  term.      Ihci.i-r  '.a- iccei--tui  in 


I 


184      -     .    .  SKETCHES  OF  THE  '■ 

obtainmg  a  .grant  from  the  Legislature,  tlio  institution  was 
soon  after  sviftered  to  siispond  operations. 

1852.  January  9th,  commenced  to  be  published  here 
the  C'yrivl  ■■>  Ach-'^riU-'r."  ot  vdiich  ?v[r.  F.  C.  Messenger, 
tb?n  lace  i  f  C'lLii'on.  M.'--.,  was  editor  and  proprietor. 
The  size  of  the  sheet,  including  the  mar£;in,  was  15  by  21 
inches.  The  Adccrtlscr  vras  printed  in  tlj^  town  until  the 
lasc  niontii  of  its  fa-st  year,  when  it  was  removed  to  Rock- 
land, and  its  name  changed  to  Coiumercia!  Adcertist-r.  It 
still  purported  to  be  published  at  Camden,  but  we  find  it 
sometimes  hailed  from  ICockkind.  Daring  the  first  sixteen 
montius,  the  A'Jrrrtiser  was  neutral  in  politics  and  religion, 
but  in  June,  \' 5o,)  we  find  the  editor  yielded  to  the  political 
bias  of  his  mind,  and  placed  the  name  of  the  subsequent 
Whig  candidate  for  Go\crnor,  at  the  head  of  the  loading 
editorial  column,  and  henceforward  advocated  the  principles 
of  that  party.  From  files  of  his  paper,  now  before  us,  we 
shoidd  consider  ^h.  i\[es-engcr  but  an  ordinary  A^Titer. 
On  the  whole,  the  Advriiser  was  a  usefai  sheet,  and  con- 
tributed not  a  little  to  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of 
this  tovvTi.  It  was  discontinued,  we  think,  at  the  close  of 
thi  year  1854. 

February,  ('52.)  In  the  latter  part  of  this  month,  Hon. 
E.  K.  Smart  presented  to  Congress,  a  petition  of  Capt.  John 
Glover  and  others,  of  this  town,  for  the  erection  of  spindles 
and  buoys  at  the  mouth  of  Camden  harbor.  We  believe 
they  were  erected  auring  the  year. 

In  the  month  of  May,  the  citizens  of  Goose  River  village 
assembled  together  m  a  T'ablic  mcMin,:  to  consider  the 
propriety  of  changing  the  post-otiice  a.i'lress  of  that  place. 
Many  appellations  being  sugj:ested  and  their  merits  duly 
discussed,  it  was  fimdly  det:rmincd  t!iat  the  highly  a])pro- 
pri  ite  ntimo  of  /'•■".•/./'•■•'/*''  '-h-riM  b>'  adopted  for  ^aid  pur- 
pose. The  Rockian.L  *»''r. •'••'/'•,  not  rtdisnin;^:  Use  change  thus 
made,  came  out  in  oisp  i.dr.sva  lu  it  in  its  issue  of  Alay  15th, 
when  a  rc^-ideni  at  the  river,  over  the  signature  of  CUo, 


HISTORY  OF  CAMDEN.  185 

responded  tliroir^h  the  Cimiden  Advertiser,  of  the  21st  of 
the  same  month,  as  foIlo^.'s  :  —  "The  editor  of  the  Iioc!:- 
land  Gazelle,  in  hi-;  hi-t  '.veek's  issue,  complains  of  our 
adoption  of  I!ocJ:ro,  '  cis  tlie  irjw  name  for  our  post-othce, 
■froin  that  of  Goof^e  i/irer,  alrhou^;h  he  admits  tlie  propriety 
of  a  change.  He  then  proceeds  to  assi^rn  grave  reasons 
why  our  ears,  and  love  of  ijiiin,  sliovild  have  been  less  pleas- 
ed, with  our  selection.  He  ought  to  be  vvilling  to  grant  us 
the  same  liberty  in  choice  that  his  people  exercised.  Ours 
wa.s  not  original  with  us,  nor  was  theirs  with  them  ;  both 
existed  before.  If  theirs  was  appropriate  to  them,  surely 
ours  is  to  us,  as  the  editor  hinisolf  would  admit,  ^vor;}  he  ever 
to  look  upon  our  rocJc  hound  porL  He  regards  us  as  hav- 
ing been  a  little  too  sharp  in  our  selection,  so  similar  to 
theirs,  and  living  so  near,  together  with  the  identity  of  the 
general  business.  Herein  is  its  peculiar  fitness.  No  reas- 
onable man  could  object  to  these  causes.  If  the  people  of 
Kockland  were  so  hap])y  in  the  choice  of  their  name,  cer- 
tainly they  should  not  be  displeased  if  we  were  so  struck 
with  its  appropriateness,  as  to  seek  an  alliteration  of  the  • 
same.  Lut  the  editor  is  so  unchristian,  as  to  intimate  that 
we  v.-ere  prompted  in  thi^  choice,  by  the  hope,  that  the  pro- 
ducts of  o-.:r  quarries  and  kilns,  would  be  more  marketable. 
How  ?  From  having  been  manufactured  vliero  the  rjost- 
ojflce  bore  a  name  someichat  like  that  of  their  town  !  So 
that  none  but  the  user  v>-ould  be  the  v  is  t.  Wonderful ! 
The  consumer  will  have  occasion  to  be  ovo'-  frratcful  to  the 
sa2C  editor  for  his  timely  warning  of  the  -  «  <  nd  )us  fraud 
a-.  .-ut  to  be  anemptcd.     ?»[uch  as  I'lt  ''he  energy 

i\.rA  go-a-head  spdrit  of  our  Kockland  in  ^  '  i^,  far  be  it 
from  us,  toA.\  i>!i  to  pluck  any  laurels  fium  fiua  brows,  with 
which  to  enrich  ours'.  lv<:v?.  We,  too,  like  '  'u,  fully  sub- 
scribe to  th:-  odit'.>r"s  o':./- -d  oroverb,  '  let  c-v-vrr  tub  Ftrnd 
on  its  own  bottcm."     \\'c  have  br  ru  ^  ,  .■  ot  tlie 

value  of  our  exteii-^iv.^  «.iuurrie^.  Our  interc^r.-.  l..  prompt- 
ed us  to  improvement  Iti  I'lir  lime  manuib  c     .     We  seek 


186  SICETCIIF.S  OF  THE 

no  borro-vved  reputation  ;  v,  itli  its  trial  is  its  approval,  even 
v.-itli  the  C'und'j/i  brand,  we  ask  no  OLiiei*.  Oar  people 
find  a  ready  sale  for  all  they  can  make,  and  mat  at  remu- 
neratin;^  priees. 

In  our  mail  correspondence,  tlie  editor  also  anticipates 
much  inconvenience.  In  thi-  I  think  his  fears  are  ground- 
less. Our  post-masters  ourjiit  to  be  ab].e  to  distincruish  be- 
t^veen  llock-Jo nd  raid  Rock-j;o?^ ;  if  they  cannot,  ih.e  gov- 
ernment should  furnish  tlicm  ^vith  specs." 

Au2ust  olsr,  appeared  the  first  number  of  a  small  sized 
political     :^r;    r'l  -i;  .  '-'",  v il  c    7'^  -'■  ]'r     SS'f^,*' pur- 

^ix  weeks  it  advocated  wizh  much  spirit,  the  election  of 
Pierce  and  King.  Col.  Smart  was  rightudly  presumed  to 
be  tuic  editor,  althou:j:h  his  name  did  not  appear  as  such. 

The  Camiden  Adcttrtiser,  of  Oct..  8th,  in  speaking  of  said 
paper,  says,  "  Since  the  commencement  of  the  publication 
of  the  'Pine  Tree  S^tft,'  iome  four  weeks  since,  19,200 
copies  have  been  printed  and  circulated  ;  the  most  of  them 
in  this  Con::r!'Cssional  District,  thoua-h  not  a  few  have  found 
t'lieir  ^v:,y  to  .ill  parts  of  the  State.''  Tlie  Democratic  par- 
ty w:;  divi^'jd  into  two  factions  at  this  time,  v/hich  were 
disrln.Tuh<»hed  ijy  rlie  inelegant;  names  of  Wool  Heads'' 
and  '^Vild  Cats."  Tlie  Fi/ie  Tree  State  advocated  the 
principles  of  the  former  division  of  the  party.  Indicative 
cf  t'le  result  of  our  Congressional  election  in  the  fall  of 
^hi^.  }\,:ir,  'lS->2.\  is  the  follovdng  vote: — Kimball.  (Wool 
Head.  2;;0  :  Farley,  .  WLi-.;.  2  1.1 ;  Smith,  (Wild  Cat,)  136. 
Parley  was  the  m;^ "--.did  camiidate. 

1853.  jdany  of  our  r  l-'z-ns  u  ill  ever  remember  the 
mornin;!  of  the  7th  of  ?\ovcmbei%  wlicn,  at  half, -an  hour 
after  nudniulit.  Micy  vv-rr.-  arou-ed  from  tjieir  slumbers  by 
the  cry  of  ••  nr'.'  !"  At  thiit  time  .i  fire  broke  out  in  tiie 
:t  J.  C.  C., ^.  r-  l^..,r  Th^u:..'. 

i^  dkhi.  j  m . -'Miu-:,  V  idr'h.  thj  -  ;■  '1 '-  '  ii  -  -  rif  the  ersgine 
compmv.  Y^'as  burri'.d  d.)-vn.     The  tia'ucs  v.t.ri-  ihen  coia- 


i 

i 


lEISTORY  OF  CAMDr.N.    ,    .  187 

r.Wiiii.  ruod  ta  the  dry  goods  score  of  G.  I;.  Follansbec,  Tvhich 
was  iiiostly  consumed  before  the  tire  was  subdued.  Mr. 
t'oonib.s  was  insured  for  -SoOO  ;  saved  part  of  his  stork. 
'1'^  ;  >■  w:-!";  o'.\-ned  by  Mrs.  L.  H.  llawsoii,  valued  :it 

j'.'.  insured  for  SoOO.  Mr,  Follansbee  lost  part  of  his 
srock.  insured  for  8.'>()00.  In  the  same  building,  v/as  E.  C. 
Daniels,  raerchant  tailor,  who  was  absent,  and  lost  almost 
Ills  entire  stock,  which  was  unin^^ured.  Geo.  i^mdlcton, 
1":-  ;.,  owned  the  building  occupied  by  the  two  latter  named 
j;:-"i.mcn,  wdiich  was  valued  at  8200'),  and  in>ur;;d  for 
81000.  Had  not  t"ue  n:'^\:t  been  calm,  the  lire  might  have 
swept  the  mo-<t  valuable  part  of  rl'.e  vilUu'o. 

1854.  At  tills  time,  the  business  pro>perity  of  Camden 
had  attained  its  highest  degree.  Every  industrial  occupa- 
tion, represented  here,  found  a  sure  rew  ard  in  its  develop- 
ment. Indicative  of  the  active  enterprise  manifested  in  the 
then  leading  pursuit  of  this  place,  (ship-building,)  during 
this  year,  are  the  following  few  statistics:  —  In  both  vil- 
li ge;;  tiiere  were  ten  vessels  built,  of  which  three  were  s5iips, 
r!'.'-:  vvcre  brigs,  and  two  v/ere  schooners,  tiic  aggregate  ton- 
7.,:g:  ',1  vv'liich,  was  -1,413. 

Tiie  telegraph  poles  were  erected,  and  the  wires  passed 
througli  this  place  in  1848,  but  an  office  was  not  estab- 
r>!:ed  here  until  18.54.  The  iirst  message  was  sent  on  the 
Orh  of  May. 

July  8th,  was  form^ed  at  the  Harbor  village,  a  Temper- 
ance Watchmen's  Club,  which  was  designated  as  E.vrelsior 
Cl'i;;..  Number  319.  The  brotherhood  originated  at  Dur- 
h.-iiU,  Me.,  where  it  was  instituted  Avril,  1849.  irs  princi- 
]!'.:<  were  declared  in  brief  to  be,  Temperance,  Humanity, 
I'roLTc^s.''  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  club,  the  foil-  wdr:g 
othcers  were  chosen:  —  Allen  F.  Grav,  8.  O. ;  Hmmui  Bass, 
•T.  O  :  .J:;.-;lu  Ti:r,M-,y..,.,Ti.  11.  8.:  Wr-.  P^.:-' ■r'  -^.  C.  S,  : 
S^rh  H.  Bc  de,  C:  J  .'.ii  Jvrown,  '2d,  T. :  Ab/t  lb. well,  M. ; 
■Eio,  f  \.ini,  A.  M.  'Y  \  :  iihti.itioti  fee  was  twcntv-iive  (.cuts. 
;..-iieve  the  c!ui»  inmoerud  about  twenty-Mve  members. 


188 


StCETCIIES  OF  THE 


The  last  ^vords  upon  the  record  are,  '*Xov.  20,  1854.  The 
club  met  and  adjourned.  J.  Brovrn,  C.  S."  ;  which  indi- 
cate<.  that  it  existed  nu^  il  tliat  time. 

Ar -■:>t  ?"h.  -y.s  in^ti^'ited  an  Aniorican  Council,  com- 
monly c  illcd  the  Know  ZNothin:^  Order,  which  name,  we 
understand,  grevv-  out  of  certain  presumed  questions  that 
miGrhr  be  asked  a  member.  We  learn,  from  one  ^vho 
evidently  knov.-s  ^vlicreof  he  affirms,  that  the  council  at 
Camd:ii  villv-e  n-:mL<cred  2-10  members,  besides  others 
M'iLo  syn:r.  .raized  with  them  in  all  their  outward  movements. 
Af'crvrards,  one  v.-as  established  at  Kocknort,  num/oering 
about  100  m.embers.  and  one  in  Wcst-Camden,  which 
numbered  about  30  members. 

An  organization  of  this  cliaracter  would  be  likely  to  be 
the  source  of  some  sportive  occmTences.  From  one  liO 
belon2;ed  to  the  Order,  v:c  learn  the  followin^g  illustrative 
examples:  —  Just  after  a  "  Council"  was  instituted  here,  a 

gentlem.an  by  the  nanae  of  C  ,  while  walking  vrith  a 

member,  inform.ed  his  K.  X.  friend  in  a  secret  manner^ 
that  he  had  met  in  one  of  the  Lodges.  '•'•Ah!"  rejoined 
K.  X.,  -'where  was  it?"  '"It  M-as  in  the  public  square."' 
Well,  hov.-  did  you  know  it  was  a  Knov,'  Xothiug  Coun- 
cil:"       Eecauso,"  concluded  C-  ,  "they  M'ere  so  secret 

and  mysterious  in  their  actions."    It  is  said  that  C  

cam.e  as  near  to  the  truth  of  it,  as  the  lady  who  declared 
she  knew  her  husband  belonged  to  the  K.  X  .'^  because  s-he 
saw  him  sitrinLT  on  a  v.-  .  -.d.-ile  with  some  i.:i  :r  men,  where 
she  was  assm-ed,  ::he  members  of  that  cabai  g.-ueraily  con- 
gregated ! 

A  gentleman,  som.-v.liat  prominent  in  the  community, 
met  another,  and  ir.f  :r;:i  .'d  him,  that  tht  re  was  a  m^an  in 
town  from  al)r')a'.l,  wh')  v;  ;s  d:.'-<irou:-;  of  foirruaj:  a  Council 


!  h  •  ■'truuTT,  an  h  widi  the  in- 
'  '  -  '  • ,  t;;.:i  t  "i  K.  X  .  •■■  :  ^  unbe- 
iicquaiiited  wi-ii  a  brother. 


HISTOHY  OF  CAMDEX. 


There  being  a  Council  established,  the  stranger  did  iiot 
liave  the  privilege  of  formin;?  one,  and  so,  leaving  his  un- 
initiated, friend  to  vote  for  Reed,  to  whom  he  was  pledixcd, 
he  dopiu'ted,  as^urrd  as  soon  as  election  was  over,  he  would 
assist  in  instiiv.tii::::  a  C  ouncil.  After  election,  the  support- 
er of  Reed  met  his  K.  X.  friend,  with  the  intention  of  as- 
sisting in  fcTminir  a  iodcro.  Soon  after  entering  the  hill. 
t-.Avnsmen  of  ail  classes  began  to  vralk  in  and  seat  them- 
selves in  a  familiar  manner,  as  though  tb.ey  were  at  home. 
As  the  Council  room  began  to  fill  up,  the  surprised  gentle- 
man tliought  too  many  spectators  Avouid  witness  the  opera- 
tion, and  \vas  anxious  to  defer  the  matter  to  another  time. 
It  was  not  long,  however,  before  he  found  he  was  in  the 
midst  of  a  lodge  that  had  been  in  operation  a  number  of 
weeks. 

AVe  are  further  informed,  that  so  guarded  were  the  move- 
ments of  this  Order  here,  that  a  year  elapsed  before  even 
slirev  d  politicians  were  aware  of  its  existence.  Wc  can- 
not give  a  better  idea  of  the  numerical  changes  wrought  in 
the  old  political  parties,  than  by  exhibiting  the  gubernatj- 
rial  vote  for  the  year  preceding,  and  during  the  rise  of  the 
Kno\r  Nothings.  Vote  of  18-53  for  Governor:  —  Crosby, 
(Whig.;.  206  ;  Pilsbury,  (Anti-Maine  Law  Democrat,)  280  ; 
Morrill,  '  Maine  Law  Democrat,)  95  ;  Holmes,  (Freesoil,) 
29.  Vote  for  Governor  in  18-54:  —  Parris,  (Democrat,) 
137  ;  Reed,  (  Whig,)  GO;  Morrill,  (Union  candidate  of  Tem- 
perance-men and  Know  Xothings.)  333  ;  Carey,  (Wild  Cat 
Democrat.)  20.  The  strength  of  the  American  party  is  no: 
fai  -ly  indicated  by  the  above  vote,  on  account  of  Morrill 
being  a  candidate  of  the  Maine  Law,  or  Temperance  party, 
besides.  But,  by  noticing  the  small  nuinber  that  voted  the 
Temperance  ticket  the  year  previous,  we  can  approximate 
the  correct  r!'ckor,:n .r.  Wliile  iiptm  thh  stibjert,  we  will 
notice  the  vote  of  the  sii.bsci!i'..ont  year,  (b'^.>">.)  which  wa^f 
as  follows  : —  iMorr ill,  .'K^iow  Xotliing  and  Temperance.) 
42  5;  Wells,  (Democrat,;  2  71  ;  Keed,  (Whig,)  40. 


190  SKETCHED  OF  THE  • 

Ephemeral  in  its  existence,  the  Know  Xotliing  organiza- 
ticn  appears  not  to  have  survived  beyond  the  year  '56,  at 
'u-hich  time  it  crave  phice  to. its  youthful  rival,  the  Republi- 
can po.rty. 

In  Feb.  1S5G,  the  Camden  Brass  Band  was  organized. 
Soon  after  it.s  formatioai,  the  m'mibers  determined  on  having 
a  set  of  instruments,  which  t'iv:y  jtarchased  at  a  cost  of 
§1000.  At  our  present  writing,  the  foilowiug  are  the  mem- 
bers : —  Paid  Stevens,  leader;  F.  H.  Thorndike,  Samuel 
B.  Kirk,  Edwin  E.  Tyler.  D.  G.  McCarthy.  Henry  B.  Pierce, 
John  C,  Berry,  Silas  C.  Thomas,  Cieor-e  Berry,  Lelloy  B. 
WcrL.rh:.;.  Carter  Pav-^n.  Hohis  A[.  Lomb,  Horatio  P. 
Ea'^ron,  Simeon  C.  Tyler,  J.  Clihbrd  Ihimes.  In  the  nionth 
of  August,  (1858,)  the  ladies  of  Camden,  as  a  token  of  ap- 
preciation of  his  musical  talents,  presented  the  leader,  ]\Ir, 
Stevens,  with  a  beautiful  silver  bu^:le,  valued  at  8 HO.  The 
young  men  com.posing  the  Band,  are  entitled  to  great  credit 
for  the  pains  tliey  have  taken  to  acquit  themselves  as  mu- 
sicians, and  fur  which  they  have  deservedly  gained  a  favor- 
able reputation  abroad. 

In  Sept.  of  'his  ye-^\  T8.3G.)  a  military  Light  Company, 
called  the  Camden  Tdountaineers,''  v>-as  formed.  The  fol- 
lowing were  the  officers  : — W.  A.  Norwood,  Captain;  A. 
E.  Chirk,  1st  Lieut.  ;  B.  C.  Adams,  2d  Lieut.  ;  Geo.  Crab- 
tree.  3d  Lieut.  ;  M.  L.  Parker,  4th  Lieut. ;  Chas.  F.  Ilobbs, 
1st  Sergeam:  and  Clerk;  P.  P.  Bryant,  2d  Sergeant;  Eben 
Thorndike,  jr.,  Od  Sergeant;  P.  U.  Stevens,  4rh  Sergeant; 
E.  C.  FLtcher,  5th  Sergeant;  A.  B.  Wetherbee,  1st  Cor- 
poral:  Saru-nt  Sawteile,  '2d  Corporal;  11.  'M.  Lamb,  3d 
CorT,5oral ;  A.  11.  Baciielder,  4th  Corporal.  Of  the  above,, 
five  were  commiissi(jned.  and  nine  non-commissioned  officers. 
By  the  Srate  ti'hn:^  to  r-  j -s  a  law  tr.  compensate  citizen 
sOilier-  i.-v  exp-.a^c-  i;,:'uir';:h  r  r  to  n  thiir  peeuniary 

load,  tlie  comipany  disbanded  on  t'ue  31, -tot  Mirch,  1858. 

In  \Ve>t-r'an:'i';n  a  cpun-.in}'  sv.;s  c>r_anized  in  the 

fall  :.i  1^5-;,  of  v.ihch  lUe  foiio-.lag  ^\ ere  the  oincers :  — 


t; 

•v; 
i. 


iLiSioiiV  Of  {•\m])j:.v. 

Hinnu  Fisk,  Captain;  Goo.  \V.  Shnouton,  1st  Lieut.;  A. 
>1.  Aanis,  2d  Lieut.  :  Rr^hcrt  C,  Thonidike,  1st  Serixoant 
and  Clerk.  This  conn^xmy  disbanded  at  the  same  time,  and 
under  the  san^e  circumstances  as  did  the  ^Mountaineers." 

We  next  again  glance  at  political  atfairs.  Tlic  vote  of 
18-56  may  be  regarded,  strictly,  as  a  test  of  the  relative 
strength  of  poiitical  p^irties  in  this  ton-n  at  that  time.  We 
will  not  speak  of  the  earnest  spirit  with  which  the  cam- 
paign was  conducted  by  all  parties,  as  tlio  facts  are  too 
well  known  to  re(piirc  our  assertion.  The  hgurcs  declare 
the  following  as'  the  result  of  tlu:-  hill  election  of  18-'>()  :  — 
ifamlin,  Tiepulilicaii. ;  -tM  ;  Weil.-,  :  Dem-jcrat, ,  2  ; 
tea,  '  Whig,^  o.S  votes.  In  lSo7,  there  being  no  Wh.g  t..n- 
didate  in  the  field,  the  votes  of  tb.c  two  leading  parties 
were  as  follows:  —  ]vLjrrill,  ''Republican,}  oil;  JSmith, 
Democrat.)  212  votes. 

On  tlie  7th  of  June  ISoS,  the  vote  on  the  I..iquor  ques- 
tion -^tood  thus  :  — Lor  prohibition,  228  votes  ;  for  Jiiccnsc, 
I  vote. 

At  the  annual  election  this  year.  '18.)8,)  the  vote  was 
as  follows  :— Morrill,  408;  Smith,  322. 

T!ie  number  of  voters  in  town  this  year,  according  to  the 
check  list,  amounts  to  981. 


/f 


s  5r  E  T  c  j-h:  S  3 

OF  THE 

RELIGIOUS  SOCIETIES  IX  CAMDEX. 


Free-^VLII  Eaptiit  Chureli  at  Wc.t-C-imdeu  —  First  Congro-a- 
tiouuiL-it  Church  at  Camden  —  First  Baprift  C-'hurchat  West-Camden 
—  Second  Baptist  Church  at  Camdeu  —  First  Universaliat  Society 
at  Camden  —  The  ^ilethouisit  So'-leLio^  ut  Camden  and  Rockport  — 
Third  Baptist  Church  at  l\ov.kport  —  Second  Cojigrcgadonahst 
Chxirch  at  Ilockport  —  Prot.  Episcopal  Church  at  Caindea  —  Spir- 
itualiats. 


THE  principal  element  that  enters  into  the  formation  of 
New  Enp:l.ind  character,  is  found  to  be  that  vrhl.ch 
was  so  proniiucnc  a  feature  in  the  lu>tory  of  our 
Pilgrim  ancestors,  and  which  now,  as  ttien,  find^  its  second- 
ary soiirce,  or  radiating  center,  in  the  general  Christian 
church. 

Beneficial  has  been  tlie  influence  exerted  (;v.:r  the  minds 
of  the  citizens  of  Camden  by  the  churches  ^  i-iained  by 
them.     Tiiat         mighr  :_dve  a  connected  h  of  the 

ecclesiastical  iiisr^jry  »if  tli-j  town,  we  have  ues'Tved  the 
greater  part  of  it  f.-r  the  present  sketch. 

Because  of  the  pauci'-v  of  in/ii ■^nai'i  placed  at  our  dis- 
posal, we  shall  be  unable  t- >  (to  ju.nice  to  claims  of 
every  religious  society,  to  the  exti  nL  wc  have  ('T-.-ired,  but 
-^hi'vud-iv-jr  b:-  .  _i  .  .  our  i:-  ■  • :  will 
allow. 

First,  in  the  ordjr  of  tL.,  .    ,  w  -j  tae  Fr-j:-  ]•>  '. L^irilst 


i 

I 


BELIGIOrS  SOCIETIES  IX  CAMDEN";  10;J 

.society  of  West-Caniden.  The  first  minister  of  that  per- 
suasion vsho  preached  in  tovrn.  is  said  to  have  been  Elder 
John  AVi.icncy,  in  1797.  In  the  following  year — 1798  — 
a  ci.  ir^ii  ^.vas  or^raiized.  consistinir  of  seventeen  members. 
i;..ier  a  .te  of  Feb.  2,  1798,  we  hnd  a  certificate  in  the 
tov^Ti  records  which  not  only  indicates  this  fact,  but  infor]n.«5 
lis  v>-ho  the  principal  members  were.  As  a  matter  of 
LiCerost  we  will  quote  i~ :  —  '•  This  may  certify  all  whom 
it  m-iy.  concern,  that  ^AhU-erman  Hev.'ett,  Jolm  ^lay,  Jobh.'i 
Kcvn,  X.iiii'l  Simmons,  J^^iijah  Bradford  and  Henry  Oxton, 
■  ].  ..n  1  ^Lipporttr^  of  Lklcr  John  AViiitney,  preacher 

■  .  '.:  '.h  of  the  Free-\".""iil  Baptist  Dtmomination.'' 
1:.  ihe  society  built  a  house  of  worship  un  the  la. id 

of  Doa.  V>'aterraan  Hewett.  This  meetmg-house  was  use  I 
nntd  it  was  replaced  by  the  present  one,  in  18.31,  wdiicii 
erected  on  Capt.  Abner  Perry's  land.  We  are  unable 
to  mention  the  dmerent  preachers  who  have  presided  over 
this  eh  irv;h  rcurularly.  In  ISol.  Rev.  Jason  Mariner  suc- 
ceeded Kldtr  Sm-c!li,  and  remained  there  till  the  spring  of 
ib-37,  wh'-'n,  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  Jos  Cilley,  was  en- 
L'-  'j:  I.    Tlie  churcli  at  present,  we  learn,  is  in  a  prosperous 

T      /'./.-'  Cunnrrgatloniil  Church.  —  The  history  of  this 
church,  wliich  was  constituted  in  1805,  we  have  traced 
dovvn  to  the  year  1814,  in  the  earlier  part  of  these  sketchc-^. 
Rev.  B.  C.  ('lia^e,  in  his  >emi-centennial  Address,  furnishi  s 
us  -.^  i:h  tlie  remainder  of  the  history  of  the  cliurcli  dov/n 
to  -h;  p'-rii.-l  of  his  incumbency — 1855.     In  tlie  words  ;<f 
?dr.  fhij-/,  we  continue:  —  "After  Mr.  Cochran  left  Cam- 
dcH,     u;.  h  was  in  1814.  this  church  was  without  a  settled 
pa-'.-rr  uiuil  182S,  a* period  of  fourteen  years.    Durinij^  this- 
t:^n-%  -everal  ministers  occupied  the  pulpit,  yaryinc^  in  time 
from  one  S,;bb-ith,  to  more  than  a  year.    The  fr)llu:vimr  are 
-  ■   ••■  ■'-      ;  —  Ih". .  M.;s--rs.  Sewall.  Tnu:raham,  S turret  1, 
^^•..r  ......jd.  >!;-dd..)U,  f  iowe,  (."ampbell.  Bishop,  and,  perhaps, 

oth-.  r>.  ."souie  of  these  T»  cre  employed  in  part  by  the  Maine 
Mis  Lonary  society."' 


194 


SKETCHES  Of  Tin: 


'*  111  June,  1828,  the  church  gave  a  call  to  Mr.  Darwin 
Adair.s  to  be  their  pastor,  for  the  specihcd  time  of  five  years. 
Mr.  Adams  was  ordained  July  lo,  1828."'  In  1829  there 
-was  a  revival  in  trie  northerly  part  of  the  t<:)\\-n  under  the 
labcr>  of  Mr.  Aciaias.  ;;ud  ;']'!Cutly  continued  under 

Rev.  Bennett  Roberts,  -which  resrdted  in  the  accession  of 
20  pcr-ons  to  the  church.  July  IG,  iSoo,  Rev.  Air.  Adams 
tendered  his  resiiruarion  to  the  church,  and  \va.s  dismissed. 
'*  From  this  time,  for  more  than  a  year,  the  church  was 
without  preuchinu:,  except  three  ^Sabbaths,  when  the  pul- 
pit wa.s  supplied  by  Rev.  A[r.  Ricluirdson.  The  church, 
however,  met  on  the  Sabhath  tbr  rcIiLrious  services,  and  hi 
conference  once  each  montii.""  In  I8.}  i,  the  present  house 
of  worship  was  built,  under  tiic  supervision  of  George 
Pendleton.  Es.p,  at  a  cost  of  al)out  -S.^OOO,  and  was  dedi- 
cated in  January,  IS;].').  Aup;.  18,  i8;3o.  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Chapman  was  installed  as  pastor  <  f  the  church.  During 
this  year,  the  church  and  society  ]rirchased  a  parsonage, 
Tiie  year  I8G0,  mark^  a  n-fomorabia  epoch  in  the  history 
of  this  church,  during  VN'hich  it  cnj  :;yed  a  powerful  revival, 
which  resulted  in  the  ufMition  of  something  like  56  mem.- 
b.-vs.  A  ■•brief  -ketch"  of  this  revl\;ii  will  be  found  in 
the  latter  pare  of  Tvlr.  Cluis-'s  Address,  written  by  Rev. 
K.  R.  Iiodgnuin:  During  the  former  part  of  his  ministry, 
Mr.  C.  was  very  successhil  hero,  but  a{ter\^■ards,  Hxc  years 
previous  to  his  dismission,  which  occurred  April  10,  1849, 

there  was  nothing  %^'orthy  of  particular  notice."'"'     "  For 


*  Il'^v.  Ml".  Ciuspimu  was  hurn  In  ExiotLT,  N.  11. ,  in  I7S9,  and 
when  bat  teu  yt  nrs  ot  a-^o,  the  lauiiiy  raove  l  to  Mt.  A'eniou.  in 
this  .Stato.  At  the  oi  2:;,  tie  ^onwovfcd  h'unM'lt  with  t):o 
church  in  Chestorvill'j.  '  1  r:..lu;-,rcd  at  B:u>.<,'or  'ihcoiou'ical  Semi- 
nary hi  1^-'*.  iv.  S<-nc  ii':rr.  V<1U  v.M-i  crdiai.ed  [aistor  of  the 
cr^lf     r:  ];:■-''■;.  M  ]i'.-;-f'        ■  -r,:-  i  i/-. '  ,r : ;   r'-',  1  Ahcr- 

vrrtr  L;  -  iiy.'.-'a  tor  two  years  the  a  in  l»'»tiih;iy,  aiier  wliicii 

;  ;         .•  :  ,  rhj.  t.v.vij.    At  .l;.fi-f>_  .  ■  -  ;•  ;u  r        U-Mussion  hero, 

■■I  iii        .'•r'  :^     IVo^.       ;  (<       or,  ]>':::    In  ^i;ar(;il,  1N;U), 
■  ;■      ia  I  i.if}';  li.'  rii  !;,->■  .ui  l  r  ri  .  J. •;•■>.    'L  .:i-  fi^C  two  yearj 


) 


FwLLIGIOrS  SOCIETIES  IX  CA.MDEX.  10.3 

several  months  after  liis  disaiission,  the  pulpit  ^vas  occupied 
at  (lirterent  times,  by  Rev.  ^NTer^srs.  Boyd,  WheelwriLrht, 
Wilii-:n^,  Snow  and  Ch>.se.*'  In  S-pternbvr,  lxV.K  Mr. 
jR?nj.  C.  Chase,  a  crr.Kiu.i r or  Ban^ror  Taeol.)^ical  Scininary, 
rec'.'ived  a  call  i'ro;n  th.-  church  and  parish,  and  was  or- 
dained Jan.  S,  18-50.  ''During  the  spring  of  lS-50,  there 
was  an  interesting  revival,  and  16  persons  were  add'-d  to 
the  church,  as  its  fruits."  About  this  time,  the  subject  of 
building  a  conference-room  was  aii'itatcd,  v^diich  resulted  in 
the  buildin'^  of  one  in  18.32,  at  a  cuol,  incuiding  laud,  of 
Sr200.  v,-hich  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  E.  1"'.  Cutter,  Islny 
olsr.  Mr.  Chase  vau  dUmi.-se^l  in  1^^.37,  nnd  -succeeded 
by  Mr.  Franklin  P.  Ciiapin,  a  graduate  of  Bangor  Theo- 
lo'.:ri'"ai  Seminary,  who  was  installed,  Nov.  10,  18-37. 
During  this  year,  a  fine  organ  was  placed  in  the  church,  at 
a  cost  of  8800.  "  The  whole  number  of  persons,"  says 
^h.  Chase,  in  his  Address,  "  admitted  to  this  church  as 
members,  from  18r>.3  to  ls26.  is  GG.  The  vriioie  number 
from  1828  to  183.3,  k  43  ;  from  1835  to  1849,  is  115; 
from  1849  to  1855,  is  44;  whole  number  from  1805  to 
1855,  is  208.  The  wiiole  number  who  have  died,  have 
been  excommunicated  or  dismissed,  is  150  ;  the  present 
flS55.  number  of  members  is  118."  In  1857,  the  num- 
bt-r  of  members  v,-as  111  ;  and  in  1858,  113.  [See 
Minutes  of  the  General  Conference.]  By  the  revival  of 
1858,  an  accession  was  made  to  the  m.embership,  which 
is  not  ineUided  in  the  latter  enumeration. 

The  r.;port  of  tiie  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  School, 
for  the  year  1-854,  gives  178  as  the  number  tlien  connected 
with        <':hfjoi.    In  1857,  the  numb-er  was  174,  and  in 


of    i:,  hf    vTi:!-';  ■^]M>nt  io  Pitti^ton,  -w' ere  he  -i'c-L  A'ril  1, 
Sir.  lu  was  a  man  of  ^ouinl  jiKurueRt  aj.  I  l..-<.vcr:on ;  c-mi- 

;^M.:      •-  ^.-^i'         -  ,         [,  -y;;..p;Unc''.o,  'i  'j--.;-s\;t;ia.er»  X 

^v■■-    -  ■  :r-  ...■[    ;   .i       -  ' m  r.;:s  soviai  a-iil  fl.eatt'-dc  rela- 

lii.u.-r.  Ahri.i^c-.i  ir-jm  uii  <Jei;,u.iry  notice  iu  the  Maine  E>:'.LH(jtlist 
of  April  2i,  i5  3o.l 


196 


SKETCHES  OF  TTIE 


The  First  Bapfisf  ('Imrrh  in  \Ye.st-Cam(ien  was  organ- 
ized in  1808.  This  cliurch  "  was  gathered  by  the  occasional 
labors  of  Eider  E.  Snow  and  Eider  Jno,  Still,  and  had,  in 
September,  25  members.  Elder  Still  soon  became  their 
stated  minister,  if  not  pastor,  and  was  with  them  till  1815, 
but  the  church  made  slow  progress.  In  1816  the  church 
was  increased  and  encouraLred  by  a  pleasant  revival,  but 
remaininor  destitute  of  the  stated  ministry  of  the  gospel,  ic 
became  much  enfeebled  in  a  few  years  by  a  loss  of  mem- 
bers. In  1824,  this  duirch  licensed  X.  Copcland,  by  whom 
they  were  assisted  till  1S28.  Still  they  were  a  small  and 
inetlicient  church.  In  l^;>l.  Elder  A.  Kailoch  rendered 
them  some  important  aid,  and  in  1832,  Eider  A.  Bedel 
became  its  pastor.  He  tarried  but  one  year,  leaving  the 
church  without  increase.  In  1837  and  '38,  this  church 
enjoyed  some  revival.  Elders  Sam'l  Baker  and  S.  N.  Rice 
then  labored  with  them.  This  harvest  season  increased 
the  church  to  90  members.  Since  that  time,  the  church 
has  been  in  a  tried,  divided  and  unhappy  state,  principally 
the  result  of  the  instability  of  Mr.  Baker."  [So  says  Rev. 
Joshua  Millet,  in  his  History  of  the  Baptists  in  Maine, 
p.  285. ~i  In  IS  13,  tiie  church  numbered  72  members:  in 
1850,  at  which  time  l-'lder  W.  (3.  Thom.as  was  pastor,  33  ; 
in  1852,  Elder  Job  Washburn,  pastor,  4*i  members.  In 
1850,  the  number  of  scholars  in  the  Sunday  School  was 
72;  teachers  in  ditto,  12  :  volumes  in  library.  180.  [Min- 
utes of  Lincoln  Association.]  Tlie  present  pastor  of  the 
church,  is  Elder  L.  M.  Mayo. 

The  Second  Bai>ti-^r.  Chnrchy  at  th'>  Hu-rbor  villaire, 
"was  srathered  soon  aicer  the  tirst,  (in  lSi)S.;  and  by  the 
same  instrumentality.  It  had,  in  Septemlv-r,  16  members, 
and  thus  bc;ian  with  a  small'.'r  nir.nbi/r  tha:i  *J:e  first  church, 
and  for  sev:--ral      vr--  r-  'ri!}-  h.u  ii',  ■■  .  ■  .'ir.:oji.d  ex- 

ertion.    But,  Jiid'.'d  •  csienai  proachiu;^,  it  niaintaim.'d 

its  existence  till  i-slo,  [['■-:.:  --he  iir>i:.  it  'A  iS  increased 

by  a  revival.    It  ho\\-e'»i.r  _^.:ned  but  a  ^iuiluI  :uiccment, 


I 


religious;  societies  in  camden. 


107 


till  within  a  few  years.  In  1827,  Elder  N.  Hooper  hccaiTiO 
its  tirst  pastor,  but  continued  only  one  year.  Now  followed 
a  series  of  sojournins^s  for  eii^lit  years,  Jurini?  wiiicli  th^y 
were  made  to  drink  of  a  mixed  cup  of  j^ood  and  evil." 

The  Convention  considered  their  situation,  and  sent 
Elder  H.  Kendall  to  them,  who  was  successful  in  gather- 
In^  tc.i::;ethsr  this  scattered  flock,  and  of  introducing  to  their 
number  2.5  new  members.  Encouraged  by  this  success, 
the  Convention,  in  October,  made  another  appropriation,  and 
Elder  K's  labors  were  continued.  The  church,  quickened 
by  their  prosperity,  and  animated  to  tiie  work,  by  the  ad- 
vice and  successful  eiiorts  of  Eider  K..  in  collecting  aul 
from  abroad,  set  about  building  a  house  of  worship  in  the 
village,  which  was  completed  and  opened  in  1837."  Pre- 
vious to  this  time,  the  society  held  their  meetings  iii  private 
dwellings  and  school-houses. 

'*  In  ISoS  Elder  E.  Freeman  commenced  his  labors  with 
thi'^  church,  and  administered  to  its  prosperity  till  1842, 
v^-hen  ho  wa-  succeeded  by  the  valuable  efforts  of  Elder  A. 
Dunbar,  one  year."'-* 

l  a  1  s  1;"!  the  r  'uiTch  nnrnbered  112  members.  This  year, 
EM.  D-iniel  Bartlett  was  the  pastor,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Elder  George  W.  Stickney.  There  was  no  regular 
prcaci^ing  for  several  years,  until  Elder  David  Perry  offifi- 
ated  as  pastor,  but  meetings  were  sustained  on  the  Sabbath 
by  reading  a  sermon,  or  having  an  occasional  one  from  Eld. 
Wa^iiburn.  and  others.  Mr.  Perry  was  ordained  as  pastor  of 
t;ie  church  in  18.31,  and  sustained  that  relation  until  i8o-3, 
wh«-n  ho  v.  as  succeeded  by  Eld.  E.  M.  Mayo,  who  preach- 
ed abv>ut  one  year.  In  1850,  the  church  numbered  65  mem- 
ber^-i :  in  18.52,  f>4:  in  185.5,  50  members.  Since  Elder 
Mdvn  h  it,  the  society  has  had  no  rcirular  preachi'-zj;.  The 
occasion  of  the  declination  of  tlie  church,  is  attributable  to 


*  Com.  of  IT.  r>:i3-',         iu  Millttt's  HiLstorv  of  the  }3aptist3,  rp. 
:-d  2Si>. 


138  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

a  lack  of  liarmony,  grou'inir  out  of  a  di.sag;reement  between 
some  of  its  members.  "  Their  state  is  most  precarious, 
and  the  coiitinaaace  of  their  visibility  is  someuiiat  (ioubt- 
ful  .  bar  \v.-  hope  better  tilings."'  .  It  is  to  be  hoped  tiiat 
th's  L'hi:rch,  ^vhieh  numbers  among  its  members  some  of 
our  be-t  citizens,  may  yet  arise  in  the  strength  of  unity, 
and  take  its  former  stand  by  the  side  of  sister  eharches, 
and  accomplish  tlie  benign  mission,  for  which  it  was  con- 
stituted. 

The  I^irst  Univ'T/'saU.'it  Soc.i'-'ti!.  or  Second  Porish. — 
It  is  believed  that  the  rirst  Umv.  rsalist  sermon  preuciied  in 
Camden,  wa^  by  Rev  ^anlUfl  Baker,  in  i:sO!i.  As  near 
as  can  be  ascertained,  by  tradition,  Rev.  Sylvanus  Cobb, 
fnow  editor  of  the  Boston  Christian  Fretnirrn.}  preached 
here  occasionally,  in  1815-15;  Rev.  W.  A.  Drew,  (editor 
of  the  FiuraJ  Intdlig-  nc^r:)  in  1821-24. 

Sept.  30,  1824,  a  society  was  organized,  agreeably  to  the 
design  of  a  wan-ant,  which  was  issued  on  the  2Sth  of  the 
previous  month,  signed  by  Lemuel  DiliinLcham,  Lewis  Ogier, 
and  25  others.  A  lot  of  land,  number''d  54,  was  dv^nated 
to  thj  tovv-n  by  the  "  20  A  --x-Mtos,"  to  bi>  kept  in  reserve 
for  the  benefit  of  r':  u"il.:r;v  ord.iiued  ministers  of  th.e  sec- 
ond parish,  when  said  parish  should  be  formed.  Baptist 
chtlrches  had  been  organized  before,  but  not  after  the  forms 
prescribed  by  lav/,  by  wliich  to  constitute  them  corporate 
bodies,  having  the  capacity  to  tran-^act  business  as  an  indi- 
vidaal.  The  Universalist  society  having  been  thus  incor- 
porated by  the  LeLdsl:itar'.\  caTue  into  legal  po>scssion  of 
the  second  ministerial  lot.  t'le  C m^jregatlonal  church  hav- 
\v.z  obtained  the  hr-^t  lot.  numbered  57.  By  the  records  of 
th-  ^oci-ty,  we  find,  th"  tir  ^t  year.  '1824,;  the  sum  of  SI 00 
wa-  vor:d.  "  to  d^::r:i;.'  "-j"  n<:'i.;'s>iu-y  -n^^-s  of  the  society 
ani       uv:  <'v.v.:r.---  -r'    >  ■  !  ::  ■  of  nv/^ting 

'w-as  tli-^n  in  tb.e  .M^'-oui'?  h  i!L  The  society  used  to  meet 
annually,  on  the  ri:  ~t  ;  i  i  -y  of  .T-.aiuarv,  for  the  election 
of  etlircrs,  and  the  liii-iauc  •-'f  money  ibr  the  support  of  the 


EELIGIOUS  SOCIETIF.S  IX  CAMDEX. 


gospel."  [Records.]  Money  being  raised  at  the  west  p;trt: 
of  the  town  for  the  object  aforesaid,  it  was  voted  that  it 
*'  be  expended  there  :  the  meetings  to  be  hoklen  at  the 
school-house  near  Job  Inirraham's,  or  such  other  phice  as 
the  bretliren  there  may  think  proper.''  By  the  records,  wc 
are  unable  to  ascertain  the  names  of  the  preachers  employ- 
ed by  the  society  from  year  to  year.  Tiie  recollection  of 
one  of  the  members,  says,  that  Rev.  James  W.  Hoskms 
was  employed  about  the  year  1827— S,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
^[cFarland  and  Farrar,  occasionally.  The  minister  s  board, 
in  the  year  1^00,  we  find,  amounted  to  88. 

It  appears  by  the  records,  that  the  society,  in  its  corpor- 
ate capacity,  continued  to  meet  annually  until  the  building 
of  the  church.  The  proceedings  of  these  meetings  were 
principally  those  of  a  business  character,  such  as  the  ap- 
pointing of  land  and  other  committees,  but,  occasionally, 
Ave  find  members  admitted,  which  reciuired  a  vote  of  tne 
majority  to  matriculate  them. 

March  13,  lJj43,  the  society  Avas  empowered  by  an  Act 
of  the  Legislature,  to  sell  their  ministerial  lot  of  land.  The 
lot  appears  to  have  been  sold  prior  to  the  building  of  the 
m.ceting  house.  It  was  situated  betu  een  Simonton'.s  and 
Ingraham's  corners.  At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  1st  Universalist  society,"  on  the  oth  of  Jan.,  1846,  it 
was  voted,  "  that  the  funds  of  this  parish  be  appropriated 
towards  building  a  meeting  house  in  sucii  a  manner  as  not 
to  conflict  with  the  original  grant  of  the  '  20  Associates.'  " 
[Records.]  At  a  subsequent  mectiivj;,  on  the  last  day  of 
the  m out II,  it  v/a.s  estimated  that  suM  liouso  would  c^-^t, 
exciu-sive  of  land,  -■:^2200.  The  church  was  commenced  in 
the  following  year,  and  completed  in  Jan.,  1848,  in  which 
month,  Rev.  X.  C.  Fletcher,  then  of  BclList,  now  of  Cari- 
den,  pr-.-aeh  .-d  the  d-;  licatory  sermon.  II  "v.  Jos,  h  Tu'd.^ 
wa.s  then  enga'jred  a-,  ;i:i^r;;.r,  v/iiich  feiiLi  jU  he  sustaiueti 
for  sometliiug  like  t-vo  vc-ars.  He  was  s-ic>_ceded  by  Rev.. 
Francis  W.  Baxter,  v/ho  preached  here  part  of  the  time, 
17 


200 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


and  the  rest  at  E,ock|->ort.  Rev.  Lcander  Husscy  was  next 
engaged,  and  preached  alternately  here  and  at  the  lliver,  for 
about  two  years.  Since  18o3,  there  has  been  no  regular 
preaching  by  the  denomin:ition  at  the  Harbor  village.  In 
1856,  the  chrax'h  was  sold  to  the  Episcopalians,  and  the  fund 
accruing  from  the  sale  was  put  at  interest.  The  annual 
meeting  for  the  transaction  of  business,  and  other  matters, 
is  still  attendt-d  to. 

The  S'icoad  UuiversaUst  Church,  IiOcJqjort,  is  so  identi- 
fied in  its  hi-f:ory,  with  the  society  at  the  Harbor,  that  it 
would  be  out  a  n^eless  repetition  to  du-ell  upon  them  sep- 
arately at  length.  We  learn  by  the  records  of  the  society, 
that  the  church  was  erected  in  the  year  1844.  It  occupies 
one  of  the  m  ')st  commanding  sites  in  the  village  of  Kockport. 
As  we  remarked  in  the  preceding  sketch,  this  society,  from 
the  time  the  Camden  church  was  built,  had  the  same  preach- 
ers as  there  alternately.  The  leading  members  of  the  so- 
ciety were  Thomas  Spear,  Oliver  and  Joseph  Andrews,  Jere. 
Mclntire,  Amos  Dailey  and  "\Vm.  II.  Smith. 

At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  society,  (1843,) 
Rev.  Franci:.;  W.  Baxter  was  the  preacher.  The  church 
was  d-dicat-d  Jan.,  1845,  by  Rev.  X.  C.Fletcher,  ^vtr. 
Baxter  preached  part  of  the  time  in  Union  and  South  Hope. 
His  ministration  lasted  about  two  years.  Afterward,  Rev. 
Elbridge  Wellington  preached  occasionally,  on  trial,  until 
Rev.  J.  L.  T  ittle  was  employed.    He  was  succeeded  by 

Rev.  Leander  Hussey.    Afrcr  the  latter  left,  Rev.   

Sawyer  came  and  remained  li' re  about  six  montlis.  This 
brings  us  d-.\vn  to  the  }ear  1.M54.  In  the  following  year, 
Rev.  X.  C.  Fletcher  supplied  tlic  pulpit  f:'r  six  months, 
since  which  time,  they  have  had  no  regular  preacliing. 

Tn-^  jf ''i  ■l.r.i:  So-i':fif^.  —  There  Dra  no  records  ava'Ia- 
ble  re-p--ct*r._'  (u.-  cirlv  nnnvrucnts  of  the  ^^Icthodist  de- 
n'j:::in:it:on  in  this  t  .^wn,  and  Ik  noe  we  ;>h;:dl  be  unable  to 
enter  into  the  details  of  the  n.o.st  interesting  period  of  its 
history.    Wii'.'^'vor  the  preachers  of  this  p^r-suasiun  were, 


) 


RELIGIOUS  S-OCIKTIES  IN  CAMPEX. 


201 


that  vis-itcd  this  place  prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  present 
ccntiiry,  wc  are  unable  to  ascertain  with  accuracy.  Wc 
have  before  shown  that  Ilcv.  Joshua  Hall  prcach-^d  here  in 
lyOl.  [See  Stevens'  ^Memorials,  p.  218.]  When  he  first 
visited  this  section  in  1  7'J-i,  his  circuit  extended  from  Union 
to  Orono.  But  we  believe  he  did  not  then  visit  this  place 
fv.-r  the  purpose  of  prcachinp;.  At  this  time,  when  a  ]Mcth- 
odi>r  iti'i.  raut  preacher  had  to  travel  a  six  weeks*  circuit 
of  seventy  miles,  his  equipment  was  of  the  simplest  kind. 
It  consisted  of  a  horse,  on  vrhiclr  was  a  pair  of  saddlebags, 
containing  his  lighter  apparel,  and  books.  Such  was  the 
appearance  of  the  "  circuit  rider."  until  thi  -  territory  was 
divided  into  charges  of  smaller  compass. 

The  earliest  members  of  the  church  here,  were  Daniel 
Barrett  and  wife,  who  connected  themselves  with  the 
church  in  Lincolnville,  before  one  was  organized  here.  It 
appears  from  tradition,  that  a  ''class"  was  formed  as  early 
as  1S03,  of  which  Mr.  Barrett  was  leader.  From  the 
year  ISOl,  to  as  late  a  date  as  1826,  the  meetings  were 
generally  held  in  his  house.  On  quarterly  meeting  occa- 
sions, when  members  of  the  church  from  all  parts  of  the 
circuit  would  come  here,  Mr.  Barrett  used  to  freely  throw 
open  his  doors,  and  entertain  them  with  ungrudging  hospi- 
tality. The  meetings  beixig  of  several  days  continuance, 
many  of  the  attendants  were  under  the  necessity  at  night, 
of  sleeping  on  couches  arranged  upon  the  floor.  Because 
of  preachers  of  this  persuasion  receiving  a  ditferent  ap- 
pointment annually,  or  biennially,  we  shall  be  under  the 
ncc.'ssity  of  merely  noticing  their  names,  and  the  years 
they  preached  here.  The  list  found  in  Mr.  Sibley's  History 
of  Union,  p.  219,  of  the  ministers  who  vrcre  stationed 
there  from  time  to  time,  probably  compreiiends  those  who 
preacl;cd  here,  as  this  place  was  embraced  in  the  same 
cu'cuit.  Sot  having  tiu-  ?dinii.t<j.s  bciore  us,  we  cannot  IcII 
th2  changes  this  circuit  underwent,  from  ti)e  time  it  was 
first  formed,    in  1617,  it  extended  from  Waldoboro'  to  the 


202 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


Head  of  the  Tide  in  Belfast.  But  to  quote  from  one  au- 
thority, commencing  at  1802,  "Joseph  Baker,  and  col- 
league, Daniel  Bicker:  1803,  D.  Bicker;  1801,  David 
Stimson  ;  180-5,  Sam'i  Ilillman,  Pliny  Brett ;  1806,  S.  Hill- 
man,  Jonas  Weston;  1807,  Samuel  Baker;  1808,  John 
Williamson;  1809,  J.  Williamson,  Benj.  Jones;  1810,  D. 
Siimson,  Geo.  Gary ;  ISll,  Xatlian  B.  Ashcrait ;  1812, 
Amasa  Taylor  :  1813,  John  Jewett :  1814,  Jona.  Cheney, 
Joseph  B.  Vv'hite;  1815,  Benj.  Jones;  1810,  B.  Jones, 
Daniel  Wentworth :  1817,  \Vm.  >[cGray,  Jere.  Marsh; 
1818-19,  Henry  True;  1820.  Jno.  Bri--s :  1821,  Jno. 
Lewis;  1S22,  J.Lewis,  Nath'l  Dcvereux ;  1^23-4.,  Kul- 
livanBray;  1825-6,  D.  Stimson;  1827,  Ezra  Kellogg." 
In  1828,  L'nion  became  a  station,  and  Camden  was  em- 
braced in  a  part  of  Tliomaston  circuit.  After  this,  as  we 
learn  from  an  elderly  member  of  the  church,  tiic  following 
ministers  supplied  this  place  with  preaching  as  formerly  : 
Philip  Munger,  Ezekiel  Robinson,  James  Warren,  Jesse 
Stone,  E.  Brackett  and  C.  Kendall,  the  latter  two  of 
whom  were  local  preachers.  The  preaching  place  was  then 
at  the  River,  where  the  few  members  of  trie  society  met 
in  private  houses  until  the  brick  school-house  in  that  vil- 
lase  was  built,  when  thev  resorted  there.  When  there 
was  preaching  at  tiie  Harbor,  it  was  sometimes  in  private 
houses,  and  at  other  times  in  the  Masonic  Hall,  and  in  the 
second  story  of  the  brick  woolen  factory.  Mr.  John  Swann 
was  class  leader  for  a  number  of  years,  and  with  his  wife 
was  almost  alone  at  this  village.  The  socio -y  from  1828 
to  1838,  was  in  a  Vfc.-ry  f>jble  condition,  -lud  only  had 
preaching  occasionally.  During  the  latter  year,  it  had  an 
accession  of  three  members  from  the  (  nT;-r^'2:ationaiist 
church,  who,  in  concert  '^-i  ith  a  few  others,  r  vL.[e  a  move- 
ment to  have  a  s:ari J  ;.r-.Mcher  sent  h  •:  .  Their  re- 
quest was  acceded  to  b}-  the  presiding  elder  procuring  the 
services  of  Rev.  CliarL-s  Munger.  He  afterwj.rd^  hud  for 
a  colleague,  (who  pD.achcd  at  the  River,)  Rev.  \Vm.  Mc- 


RELIGIOUS  SOCILTIES  IN  CAMDEN.  .  20.5 

Donald.  At  the  Harbor,  the  school-house  became  too 
snuiil  to  acconmiodate  all  wlio  wished  to  attend  the  mcet- 
inixs,  and  it  was  decided  to  build  a  house  of  worship.  Fail- 
ing to  obtain  the  required  amount  at  home,  AVm.  ^vferriani, 
y.«[.,  one  of  th'^'ir  members,  was  authorized  to  solicit  a'd 
from  abroad.  When  ]\Ir.  Swann  began  alone  in  digging 
the  cellar,  and  laying  the  foundation,  there  were  but  th)-'  e 
viah  }yt*'nih'^rs  connected  \vi^h  the  church  at  tiie  Harbor  m1- 
la£rc.  The  house  was  built  in  1840-41,  by  ^[oses  Young, 
Esq.,  and  cost,  when  completed,  '$4,G37,G0.  The  dcdi'  a- 
tory  sermon  was  preached  by  Kcv.  John  ifobart.  By  a 
vr^te  parsed  at  a  .luarLcrly  meeting,  April  6,  1 844,  it  was 
named  "  Trinity  C'uapel.'' 

The  following  is  a  sunmiary  of  the  most  interesting  facts 
relating  to  the  affairs  of  the  Camden  and  llockport  churche--, 
down  to  the  present  date.  For  the  most  of  the  time,  the 
societies  in  these  two  villages  were  united,  and  the  statis- 
tics y'lvcn  embrace  both  places.  Preachers  :  — 1840,  Revs, 
C.  Munger,  at  the  Harbor  and  S.  S.  C'ummings  at  the 
River;  1841,  C.  Plunger;  1842.  H.  M.  Eaton;  members 
in  society,  33;  1843-44,  P.  Jacques  at  the  Harbor,  and 
F.  A.  i-]ean  at  the  lliver ;  80  members:  1S45.  Jas.  Thur  — 
ton;  30  members:  1 84(3,  A.  Hatch ;  37  members  ;  1847, 
the  station  was  left  to  be  supplied;  1848,  Camden  vas 
made  a  mission,  and  John  C.  Prince  appointed  here.  He 
labored  wiUi  untiring  zeal,  and  succeeded  in  securing  the 
erection  of  the  Rockport  church  ;  54  members  reported ; 

Tlw<.  B.  Tupper.  Under  his  ministrations,  assisted 
by  B.  M.  Mirchdl,  an  extensive  revival  was  enjoyed.  He 
i  L  ;>i  irts  at  the  end  of  the  year,  79  members  in  full,  and 
i"')  on  trial.  lS.jO.  T.  B.  Tapper  at  the  Harbor,  and  E.  A. 
]{  ;■  .' r-n.iusen  at  the  River.  They  rei)ort  129  members  in 
fuih  .m  l  on  trial.  FSol,  P.  Hignrln^  at  the  H  .rbor.  and 
U.  V-'alk'T  at  ti; !  BIv.T.  IS. 32— 33,  D.  P.  Tiiompson  at 
both  villiges,  122  member,-:  Is.3l,  S.  H.  Beale  at  the 
Harbor,  70  members,  and  1).  Dyer  at  the  River;  lS.j-5-ou, 
17- 


204       ,  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

S.  Brav  at  the  Harbor,  7G  members,  and  W.  McK.  Bray 
at  the  River,  4S  members:  IBoT-oS,  X,  AN'ebb  at  the 
Harbor,  76  members,  and  32  on  trial:  A.  C.  Godfrey  and 
Levis  Wentworth  at  the  river,  73  members,  and  49  on 
trial 

From  the  records,  we  gather  the  following  Sabbath 
School  statistics:  —  In  1841,  there  were  20  scholars  in  the 
S.  S.  at  the  Harbor  :  in  '42.  40  :  in  '44,  there  were  in  both 
Tillages  100:  in  *46.  90;  in  '40.  at  the  River  there  were 
46,  and  at  "the  Barnes  neighborhood,"  2j  scholars.  In 
1851,  at  the  two  villages,  the  schools  numbered  107  schol- 
ars. In  '52.  the  Harbor.  20.  the  River.  42;  in  '53,  both 
places,  SS  ;  both  in  "54,  140,  in  '55.  50  ;  at  the  Harbor  in 
'56,  50,  at  the  River,  70.  In  1858,  the  number  of  scholars 
in  Camden,  was  60.  and  at  Rockport,  SO. 

May  20,  1857,  the  East  Maine  Conference  held  its 
annual  session  in  the  Camden  church.  In  1852  the  par- 
sonage at  Camden  was  built,  and  in  1857  the  one  at 
Rockport  was  erected. 

The  Methodist  churches  in  this  town  are  now  in  a  pros- 
perous condition. 

Tn.'-:  third  Bapthf  Ch^rrJi.,  Hoclport.  —  This  church  was 
org-cH  zed  May  l,s.  IS 42,  and  ivas  composed  mostly  of  mem- 
bers dismissed  from  the  second  church.  It  commenced 
with  12  members.  The  same  year,  four  were  added  to  the 
church,  who  were  previously  baptized  by  Elder  Daniel  Mc- 
Ma-ster.  The  two  original  deacon-^,  were  C'apt.  Jacob  Graf- 
farn,  and  Capt.  Jabez  Amsbury.  C.  C.  Eong  was  ordained 
an  Evangelist  the  next  day  after  the  organization  of  the 
church,  ana  maintained  the  pc>sition  of  pastor  fur  about  two 
years.  He  was  succeeded  by  Ehh'r  W.  O.  Thomas,  who 
was  followed  by  ladder  James  AViiliams.  Elder  Holmes 
Chipman  was  the  ne:vt,  aad,  a^ter  remaining  a  year,  gave 
p'  ic-->  10  his  pre--.leces->'-..'-.  \vA?r  Willi  -ns.  xv'ao  resumed  his 
fjrmcr  position,  whicii  he  silii  r^taiiiS.  i)arii!g  tiie  inter- 
v.als  in  which  there  vras  no  settled  preacher,  the  desk  was 


RELIGIOUS  SOCIETIES  IX  CAMDEX.  20  3 

generally  occupied  by  Elders  Job  Wajjhbiirn  and  TjV\  ad 
Frecnian.  Sept.  16,  17,  and  IS,  1».30,  the  Lxi.^  oin  bap- 
tist Association  held  its  4Gtli  Anniversary  in  ^  i-  Rf^Ll:- 
port)  village.  During  the  above  year,  the  church  number- 
ed 24  members,  and  in  lS-r2,  61  members.  In  l.^o  i.  the 
house  of  worship,  now  occupied  by  thera,  Yv'as  built  at  a 
cost  of  83000. 

The  first  Sunday  school  with  which  tiie  Baptists' at  the 
Kiver  had  any  connexion,  was  a  Union  sciiool/  hi  v\hich 
the  Methodists  shared  witli  rhem.  It  v/as  held  m  tut.  o!  i 
brick  school-house,  and  was  commenced  about  t>.>-  m  ir 
l^OO.  It  is  believed  that  John  Swann  was  tha?  first  super- 
intendent. Tiic  statistics  of  this  union  school,  ^\  i  k  h  <■  j'l- 
tinued  for  a  number  of  years,  we  are  unable  to  procure. 
By  the  Minutes,  we  learn  that  in  18.30,  the  Sunday  school 
numbered  100  scholars. 

Indicative  of  temporal  prosperity,  is  the  fact,  that  the 
society  has  recently  built  a  parsonage,  which  sD-^.d*-'  wCA 
for  their  liberality.  The  church  is  now  in  a  djari-htrg 
condition,  -ivith  favorable  prospects  before  it. 

Bod:riOrf.  Co)ii;jrc^aU''nal  Church.  —  Tiiis  church 
formed  June  12,  18-34,  by  lo  members,  the  prin  p.d  p  .rt 
of  "ivhom  were  dismissed  for  the  purpose,  from  tue  Camden 
orjcamzation,  "In  December  of  tliat  year,  a  chmel  suf- 
ficiently capacious  for  the  congregation,  was  completed,  and 
the  Rev.  James  B.  Howard  was  ordained  pastor.  By  ths- 
casc  and  death,  he  was  soon  taken  off,  in  early  lile,  from 
his  oartidy  labors.  Their  next  minister,  was  Kev.  Allred 
L.  Skinner,  under  vdiose  preaching  there  were  s  \  '  i.  ( u.i- 
ver.->ions,  but  vdio  left  them  after  a  continua).'  l  -  ■>  ^ 
t\venty  months,  on  account  of  feeble  health.'"^'  V^r.  >kiu- 
ner  was  succeeded  by  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  John  E.  -d. 
Wrigl'.t,  formerly  of  Burlington,  ]Me.,  who  was  in-ta'L  d 

*  C(;!aruun;c;j,tion  ot  Rov.  I3enj.imin  Tappau,  D.  in  the  Coriis- 
tian  Mirror  of  Oct.  '5,  1857. 


206 


SKETCHES  OF  THE 


over  the  church  and  society,  Sept.  29,  1857.^^  In  1857,  the 
churcli  numbered  nine  male,  and  eighteen  female  members ; 
in  1838,  eleven  male,  and  twenty-four  female  members. 
[See  ^linutes  of  the  General  Confjrence.]  Jan.  17,  1859, 
tliO  member  of  members  v.-as  39,  of  ^vhicli,  twelve  vrere 
males,  and  twenty-seven  females.  Of  the  flourishing  Sab- 
bath School,  connected  with  tlie  church,  we  are  unable  to 
to  L:ive  :iny  st.'itisticai  information. 

The  Protest''. at  Enhcot-m,  or  St.  Tiiomas  Church.  — St. 
Thomas"  parish  was  organized  Oct.  1,  18 -5 -5,  and  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen  chosen  as  its  officrs  :  —  Rc'v.  George  Slat- 
tcry.  Rector;  X.  G.  Bourn. \  >enior  Warden ;  John  F. 
Spaulding,  Junior  ^Wirdun ;  Edward  C  ashing,  Aaron  Brown, 
D.  M.  Hosmer,  E.  K,  Smart,  Paul  Stevens,  Jonathan  Huse, 
Joseph  H.  Jone«^,  S.  Hutcliings,  E.  C.  Daniels,  Vestrym.en; 
X.  G.  Bourne,  Treasurer  ;  E.  Gushing,  Clerk.  [Records.] 

In  the  month  of  April,  18-5(3,  the  meeting  house  belong- 
ing to  the  first  parish  Universalist  society  was  purchased  for 
the  sum  of  -S^OOO,  and  consecrated  to  the  v/orship  of 
Almighty  God,  according  to  the  discipline  and  usages  of 
the  ProtL^trait  Episcopal  church  of  the  United  States,''  on 
the  2Gth  of  June  ensuing,  by  the  lliLrht  Rov.  George  Bur- 
gess, D.  D.,  Bishop  of  the  church  in  tlie  Diocese  of  Maine. 

The  Rector  having  another  charge  at  Rockland,  (St.  Pe- 
ter's church,)  divides  his  time  between  the  two,  and  offici- 
ates Sabbath  morning  at  Cum.den,  and  in  the  afternoon  at 
Rockland,  where  his  ianiiiy  resides. 

From  the  Journal  of  the  .'39th  Annual  Convention,  we 
gather  the  lolloudng  statistics  for  the  year  ending  Julv, 
18.58: — "'Baptized,  adult,  1;  confii'me.l,  1;  communi- 
cants, added,  1  ;  died,  1  ;  present  nuinber,  0  ;  burials,  3  ; 
Sunday  school  teachers,  6  ;  scholirs,  .';.5.  Because  of  the 
short  time  elapsed  since  this  rcli:4i'.'"s  orgini/arion  com- 


*  Sec  a  notice  of  Mr.  Wrli^Ura  inst.iIlaiLou  in  the  Evangelist,  of 


HZLIGIOrS  SOCIETIES   TX  CAMDEN. 


2U7 


menccd  its  existence  here,  we  are  unable  to  ixive  any  strik- 
ing events  in  its  history,  which  reniaiii  to  be  developed. 

The  present  cc?ndition.  and  prospects  of  the  parish,  are 
described  by  the  nntiring  and  faithfid  Rector,  in  his  annual 
parochial  report,  on  the  2Gth  page  of  the  Journal  above 
quotcd.~  He  says;  —  -'The  real  condition  of  this  parish, 
bears  a  favorable.  co!npariM.-)n  with  last  year.  The  attend- 
ance upon  the  Sunday  services  is  more  numerous  and  con- 
stant ;  a  livlier  interest  is  taken  in  all  that  pertains  to  the 
due  celebration  of  Divine  worship  ;  and,  t]iovi'::h  we  have 
suffered  somewhat  by  removals,  and  esnoidahv  iiv  the  death 
of  two  most  valuable  parishioners,  yet  the  pari-n  is  -^teadliy 
growing  in  importance  and  stability,  outwardly ;  and  coidd 
its  pastor  see  that  inward  and  spiritual  life  germinating 
and  developing,  as  the  fruit  unto  God,  of  the  seed  sov.ui, 
rich,  indeed,  would  be  his  reward,  added  to  the  pleasure 
he  now  takes  in  serving,  as  best  he  can,  from  a  distant 
home,  a  united,  nuich  beloved,  and,  for  their  salvation  in 
Christ,  a  longed  for,  people.    Gi:o.  Slattery,  itecfor." 

Spirit ualhts. — The  first  outward  manifestation  of  spirit- 
ualism, in  this  town,  vims  in  lS-54,  at  Mhi-ii  lime  a  Mi'^s 
Ila-^sey  of  Unity  ciim.e  here,  and  hired  out  as  a  domestic  in 
the  famdy  of  ]\Ir.  A.  D.  Tyler.  She  Avas  known  as  a  tip- 
ping, and  rapping  medium,  and,  during  her  stay,  sittimrs 
were  had  at  Mr.  Tyler"s  house.  In  18.56,  Joseph  Hodgos, 
a  trance  and  healing  medium,  came  here  and  worked  at  liis 
trade,  'blacksmithing.'}  in  the  employ  of  ^Ir.  Horatio  Akk-n, 
at  whose  hou^e  a  "circle"  was  afterv.aird.  formed.  1  iie 
next  who  spoke  in  public  here,  was  Abraiiam  P.  Pierce  of 
Philadelphia,  a  trance  speaking  medium.  Tue  next  of  this 
class,  was  Miss  Ella  E.  Gibson,  formerly  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. Siie  was  fullov.aMl  by  a  male  trancc  n:(-  Hum,  X.  H. 
Grcenli-:f  of  Hav-rluil.  M-:  !..,  a  slvoc  cutt  -  :  <  trade.  In 
the  summer  of  18.;8,  ilf^v.  John  Hobart  IccrarLcl  here  as 
an  ad\  ocate  of  spiri'a  tk-.a.  Since  then,  the  principal 
spiruaaiist,  who  has  ^a  ;a.:  n  in  public  here,  has  been  Ilcv. 


208  SKETCHES  OF  THE,  kC. 

Gibson  Smith,  now  a  resident  at  Camden  village.  "We  are 
informed  that  there  are  now,  (18-58,)  eight  "'•circles"  in 
town,  viz.,  two  at  the  Harbor,  two  at  the  River,  one  at 
West-Camden,  one  at  Ilockville,  and  two  at  Simonton's 
corner. 

Thus  we  have  acquainted  the  reader  with  the  most  note- 
worthy facts  rehitiii^  to  the  religious  history  of  this  town. 

It  may.  perhaps,  truthfully  be  asserted,  that  the  variety 
of  beliefs  entertained,  and  represented  by  the  various  re- 
ligious sects  and  persuasions,  we  have  noticed,  has  had  the 
desirable  tendency,  to  create  a  liberality  of  sentiment  in 
community,  sucii  a.-,  accoids  with  the  benevolent,  and  pro- 
gressive spirt  of  the  age. 


1 


I 

i 


r 


BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES 


OF 


SOME  OF  THE  ilOST  PROMINENT 


OF  THE 


EARLY  AND  RECENT  CITIZENS  OF  CAMDEN. 


Laeut.  J.  Harkness  —  Cant.  "W.  McGlathry  —  S.  Jacobs,  Esq.  — 
D.  Barrett  —  M.  Trussell  —  E.  Wood  —  B.  Silvester  —  E.  Gushing, 
Esq. —  J.  Hathaway,  Edq.  —  Dr.  J.  Patch  —  Col.  E.  Foote— Dr. 
J.  II use — Capt.  C.  Curtis  —  II.  Chase,  Esq.  —  N.  Martin,  Esq. — 
W.  Parkman,  E^q.  —  A.  Lass  —  Maj.  E.  Ilauford  —  J.  Nicholson 

—  F.  Han,  Esq. —  Hon.  J.  Hull  —  Hon.  J.  Thayer  —  Capt.  W. 
Norwood  — F.  Jacobs  —  Geu.  A.  II.  Iloil^rman  —  Hon.  J.  Wheeler 

—  J.  Jmos  —  S.  Barrows,  Esq.  —  N.  Dillingham  —  Doa.  J.  Stet- 
son —  Hon.  E.  J.  Porter  — Capt.  S.  G.  Adams  — Dr.  J.  II.  Esta- 
brook  —  Hon.  E.  K.  Smart  —  Hon.  M.  C.  Blake. 


X  glancing  at  the  history  of  Camden,  we  find  the  names 


I  of  a  number  of  pcrson.s,  whose  prominence  as  citizens, 
entitles  them  to  more  than  the  passing  notice  we  have 
given  them.  It  will  be  found  that  this  town  has  contri- 
biitf.-J.  quite  hirgely,  its  share  of  those  who  have  iillcd  im- 
portiint  positions,  in  both  civil,  and  social  life.  Such  ones 
may  be  deemed  v.-orthy  of  a  biographical  sketch.  Tlvere 
are  others,  also,  M-hose  personal  reputation  has  been  known 
but  lird':^  bvyorid  the  liiui^-s  of  their  i:^wn.  whom  we  sluill 
notice,  as  being  deserving  of  mention  from  the  interest  that 
attaches  to  them  Iwraily. 

In  the  order  of  time,  without  classification,  we  will  now 


210  EIOGKAPIIICAL  SKETCHES.  "  \  . 

proceed.  First  on  the  list,  occurs  the  name  of  Lie>t,f.  JoJik 
IlarLn'^s,  ^vho  was  born  la  Luucnbur;^.  IMass.,  .June,  17-50. 
At  th.e  a:;^  of  ei,i;htecn.  he  commenced  learnin<j:  the  shoe- 
mak-  rs'  trade  at  New  Ipswich,  X.  II.  Soon  after  serving 
an  apprenticeslup  in  St.  Crispin's  art,  the  v.-ar  cloud  of  the 
Kcvolution  b'.'^an  to  darken,  and,  like  a  parriot,  Harkness 
cnli-rv-.l  f;r  tlio  -tru'r.do  under  Capt.  Ezra  Townc,  in  the 
rapacity  *,)!  a  H  ut-Ti  uit.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Bunk  r  IiiIL  ami  Ticonderoga.  So  close  was  one  of  his 
enc- incius  with  the  enemy,  that  the  tow  wad  of  a  gr.n 
V  A  ■  -  in  his  cockade  hat,  where  it  burned  a  pertbration. 
'['.:  i.,-rd-hip  i;e  undtnvcnt,  indaced  an  attack  of  the  fever 
and  a.:uc.  whiich  so  far  impaired  his  health,  as  to  unfit  him 
f'.r  f.  ri.' r  military  duty.  Being  advised  to  recruit  his 
.strea:;tii  'jy  visiting  the  sea  coast,  he  embarked  in  a  vessel 
for  L'-  rmond's  Cove,  '  now  Rockland,)  and  in  1779  came  to 
Camden. 

'  AL  after  he  settled  here,  an  expedition  of  twenty  patri- 
ots :r  tn  the  vicinity  of  Lennond's,  and  Clam  Cove,  resolved 
on  ir.rr.v  'iiu'  upon  Gen.  Thomas  Goldthwait,  a  noted  lory, 
wii-'  '.:  ri  r.-id  al  lu  Ilarupden,  we  think,  due  chasrisemeut 
t'->r  r  \i-r-i>  mamier  m  which  he  proved  his  disloyalty 

to  .vmerii  cause.  Thinking  favorably  of  the  plan 
prr^{><>>t^l  to  get  rid  of  the  annoying  General,  Ilarkness 
entered  he;irtily  irto  the  scheme,  and  joined  the  party. 
An;  T'' rehiii'j  the  General's  dwelling  at  night,  they  were 
"-  ■  '  •  d  i'v  the  innaatcs,  consisting  of  the  General,  wife 
.  .>  i  t  J  d.iiii^-hters.  and  Archibald  Bowles,  his  son-in-lavv% 
who  a^  ',nc!-  thai  to  tiie  woods  for  safety.  After  the  manner 
of  the  times  of  war,  the  house  was  then  ransacked  of  its 
valiiable>j.  and  the  cattle''"  driven  from  the  bam,  after  which 
the  party  proceeded  homeward  with  their  spoil.  A  book 
tliere  oijtauicd  by  Mr.  llarkucss,  containing  Ucu.  Gold- 


•  Tht'^^e  cattle  bcin^  a  :?\iperior  En.jiisk  breed  wore  afterwards 
iistd  i.i  ihiri  vicmity  fjr  tlie  iiaprovciaeut  of  stock. 


1 


I: 


EIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


211 


thwait's*  autograph,  is  now  in  possession  of  his  descendants, 
who  properly  regard  it  as  a  choice  relic.  We  are  not  aware 
that  this  raid  has  been  noticed  in  print  before.  For  ri-a^oas 
qaite  apparent,  the  expedition  was  kept  a  secret  for  .-^onv; 
years,  by  those  who  were  engaged  in  it. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Harkness  wms  married  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Ott,  by  whom  he  had  six  children. 

^Ir.  H.  had  a  great  fondness  for  books  as  is  illustrated 
in  tills  instance  :  at  the  time  the  Federal  library  was  es- 
tablished, he  read  night  and  day  for  a  week,  without  sleep, 
until  he  completed  reading  Koilins'  Ancient  Hi^stor}-, 

In  his  day,  ]Mr.  Harkness  was  quite  a  prominent,  as  ^ved 
as  uset\d  citizen  in  tins  town.  For  a  number  of  years  ho 
•was  tovrn  clerk,  and  selectman,  and  representative  to  the 
Ger^erai  Court.  He  died  of  a  cancer.  May  14,  1806.  On 
his  tombstone,  in  the  Rockport  cemetery,  arc  the  following 
quaint  Lines  : 

Come,  honest  sexton,  take  thy  spade, 
And  let  ray  grave  be  quickly  made. 
Thou  still  art  ready  for  the  dead  — 
Like  a  kind  host  to  make  their  bed  : 
I  now  am  come  to  be  tliy  sjucst, 
In  some  dark  lodging  give  me  rest, 
For  I  am  weary,  full  of  pain, 
And  of  my  pilgrimage  complain  : 
On  Heaven's  decree  I  waiting  lie 
And  all  my  wijshcs  are  to  die." 

His  wife  survived  him  half  a  century,  and  died  Xov.  9, 
18-36,  a^cod  02  years. 

Coit.  Wii'iain  McGlathnj,  w^as  born  in  Belfast,  Ireland, 
and  was  of  what  is  commonly  called,  the  Scotch-Irish  stock. 
He  came  to  Bristol  with  his  parents  vrhen  a  boy,  where 


*  It  vviPi  bo  roconc-'ted  that  Col.  G.  v,-as  for  '^■nrae  time,  p'^C'-ifU:? 
to  thi.i,  coixiuuLndant  at  Fort  Point.  On  making  hi-s  escape  to  tlie 
Proviiioe.-i,  with  otiier  tories,  at  the  conclusion  oi  the  war,  the  vessel 
was  chipv»rccked,  and  he  was  loat. 

18 


212 


BIOGKAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


they  settled.  Capt.  ^McGlathry  derived  his  title  from  bcinp; 
master  of  a  vessel.  An  interesting]:  incident  is  related  of 
him.  Avhilc  he  was  in  command  of  a  vessel  during  the  Rev- 
olution. At  that  time,  his  vessel  was  captured  by  a  British 
privateer,  when  three  men  were  put  on  board  to  carry  her 
as  a  prize  into  Halifax.  Capt.  McGlathry  bemg  manacled, 
was  placed  on  the  quarter  deck.  On  revolvin^^  in  his  mind 
how  he  might  effect  an  escape,  he  hit  upon  the  following 
expedient.  .The  water  cask  being  within  his  reach,  he  man- 
aged to  ^am  the  bunii-sidc  down,  without  being  observed, 
so  that  the  contents  run  out.  The  prize-master  soon  after 
foimd  there  was  nothing  on  board  with  Avhich  thirst  could 
be  slaked,  and  not  knowing  the  whereabouts  of  any  fresh 
water,  he  began  to  find  the  necessity  of  having  some  one 
besides  his  ignorant  crew,  to  gui  le  liim  to  a  watering  place. 

McGlathry  being  the  only  one  who  was  conversant  with 
the  coast,  was  entrusted  with  the  helm  for  the  purpose  of 
steering  for  the  nearest  place  for  a  supply.  It  being  very 
fogg}-,  McGlatiiry  carried  the  vessel  into  Machias,  and, 
before  his  captors  were  aware,  they  found  he  had  placed 
them  in  a  position,  which,  in  turn,  changed  their  relation  to 
that  of  prisoners  of  war,  by  being  seized  by  a  small  num- 
ber of  the  citizens  of  that  place.  .Soon  after  regaining  his 
former  position,  Capt.  ]McGlatinry  directed  his  course  for 
home,  where  he  arrived  in  safety."^ 

Capt.  ^IcGlathry  came  to  Camden  about  the  year  1790, 
and  purchased  his  land  of  .Jos.  Eaton,  which  extended  from 
the  shore,  Tjust  back  of  the  Mountain  Ho.ijc.)  to  3,Iount 
Batty,  we  tliink.  He  erected  the  building  now  known  as 
the  ''Clay  House,"  situated  near  the  brick  school-house  — 
where  he  resided,  h'or  several  years  he  \vas  one  of  the 
selectmen.  In  1798-99,  he  removed  to  Frankfort.  He 
had  six  children  —  five  s-^ns  and  one  daughter:  all  are  now 


♦  Ilelatcd  by  Dr.  J.  IL  Estabrook. 


BIOGBAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


213 


dead  but  one  son  and  the  daughter.  Capt.  McGb.thry  du  1 
in  1834,  aged  8.5  years. 

SouiueJ  Jacohs.  E>q.  Mr.  Jacobs  was  born  in  Scituato, 
!Mass.,  ]March  4.  17()2,  and  by  trade  was  a  shipwright,  lie 
came  to  this  ^;o^^Tl  about  the  year  1792.  He  was  twirv> 
man-ied  ;  his  first  wife  was  ^^largaret  Stinson,  and  his  second 
Margaret  McGlatliry.  The  place  still  known  as  the  ''J acob\ 
farm"'  was  possessed  by  him,  upon  winch  he  erected  the 
house  now  o-^^-ned  by  N.  C.  Fletcher,  Esq.  !Mr.  Jacobs  was 
the  first  representative  sent  by  this  town  to  the  General 
Court.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  selectman.  Justice 
of  the  Peace  and  Quorum.  By  his  position  and  intluence, 
Squire  Jacobs  was  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  tnis  town. 
His  name  is  found  connected  with  the  most  important  bu.^i- 
ness  and  other  transactions  mentioned  in  the  town  records. 
By  his  second  wife,  he  had  five  chddren,  all  of  whom  lived 
to  adult  age,  viz.  :  Samuel,  Frederick,  (who  married  Julia, 
dau^ditcr  of  Benj.  Gushing,  Esq.,)  Bela,  and  Caroline,  (^who 
married -Dr.  J.  H.  Estabrook.)  His  daughter  is  the  oiUy 
surviving  member  of  the  family.  Mr.  Jacobs  died  Sept. 
5,  1809. 

Moses  TrusseU,  son  of  Joshua,  was  born  in  Haverhill, 
Mass.,  March  27,  17G6.  He  was  the  eldest  of  a  family 
of  eleven,  the  most  of  whom,  moved  to  SedgMick.  He 
came  to  Camden  about  the  year  1792,  and  in  company 
with  his  brother  Joshua,  carried  on  the  ^Molmeaux  mills,  m 
which  they  lost  81000  each  at  the  time  of  the  embargo, 
^larch  4,  1793,  he  was  married  to  ]Miss  Betsey  Knight  of 
Eincolnville,  by  whom  he  had  nine  chiidi-cn.  In  the  yc.ir 
1800,  he  was  chosen  town  clerk;  in  1810  was  succeeded 
by  C.  Curtis;  agam  chosen  in  1813,  and  held  the  otiice 
until  1821,  when  Frye  Hall  was  elected.  His  excellence 
as  a  penman,  is  remarkable,  from  the  fact  that  he  never  ha  1 
buL  two  months  sciiooling  in  his  life,  for  which  he  paul  l)y 
working  the  same  len-^h  of  time  at  Bluehiil,  when  a  }  oung 
man.    In  1804  was  chosen  as  one  of  the  selectmen,  and 


214  BIOGEAPIIICAL  SKETCHES. 

held  that  position  for  sixteen  years.  For  several  years  he 
■^^'cnt  as  representative  to  the  General  (.'oiirt.  ]Mr.  Trussell 
was  a  man  of  good  natia-al  abilities  —  had  a  rare  talent  for 
music,  and  excelled  as  a  singer.  Aidiough  his  position  in 
life  v»as  not  elevated,  as  regards  means,  yet  he  was  univer- 
sally respected  as  a  citizen,  for  his  probity  of  character. 
About  the  year  1824,  he  removed  to  Orland,  where  his 
widow  now  survives  him. 

Daniel  Barrett,  was  born  in  Concord,  Mass,  He  came 
to  Camden  about  the  year  1792-93.  August  4,  170  4,  he 
married  Peggy  Grose.  Purcliasing  lands  of  Molincaux  on 
B-auchamp  Xeck,  he  there  erected  a  house,  and  carried  on 
the  farming  business.  As  before  stated,  Yii.  Barreti  pro- 
jected the  plan  of  forming  the  turnpike,  which  deed  alone, 
wiU  transmit  his  name  to  posterity.  The  characteristics 
most  prominent  in  Mr,  Barrett,  were  his  scheming  procliv- 
ities, his  energy,  industry,  and  rectitude  of  character.  A 
legal  gendeman  in  speaking  to  the  writer  about  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  remarked  upon  an  instance  of  his  exactness, 
as  illustrated  in  a  clause  of  a  deed  conveying  land  from  him 
to  members  of  his  family.  Said  property  was  to  be  owned 
by  them  or  their  heirs,  in  the  language  employed,  "as  long 
as  oaks  grow  and  water  runs.*'  Being  of  a  retiring  dis- 
position, he  seldom  allowed  himself  to  be  chosen  to  any 
town  office,  and  when  he  acted  in  any  public  capacity, 
it  was  not  of  his  own  choosing,  but  of  tliose  who  ap- 
preciated his  sound  judgment  and  good  sense.  He  was  a 
disciple  of  Wesley  for  ovur  half  a  century,  and  as  such 
died  Dec.  1,  18-30,  at  the  age  of  90  years.  Of  his  twelve 
children,  eight  r-re  living. 

Ejjhralni  Wood,  was  born  in  Concord,  ISIass.  His  fath- 
er, of  the  same  name,  was  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  for  Middle<f-x  County.  Mr.  Woc.nl  came  to  Cam.den 
near  the  year  179.;.  ikiug  a  tiorhicr  tjy  tratie,  he  erected 
a  mill  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  Alden  Cv:  Bateholder's 
block  mill,  where  he  succssfuliy  prosecuted  his  business. 


BIOGEAFHICAL  SKETCHES.  "  215 

Enjoying  a  large  degree  of  the  confidence  of  his  towns- 
men, he  Avas  by  them  many  times  chosen  as  selcctmun,  and 
appointed  on  important  town  committees,  and,  for  t\\o  vc;irs, 
represented  tlie  town  in  tiie  State  Legislature.  The  most 
prominent  traits  in  his  character,  were  his  hrmness  of  pur- 
pose, reliability  of  judirment,  and  integrity  of  mind.  A 
consistent  member  of  tiie  Baptist  chnrcli,  he  was  foreiu.o'^!; 
in  supporting,  by  his  means  and  intiuence,  its  various  in- 
stitutions, ^fr.  Wood  was  thrice  married,  and  had  tweh'^ 
ciiildren,  four  by  each  wife  ;  seven  of  whom  are  livinir. 
One  of  his  sons,  Nathaniel,  graduated  at  Waterville  Col- 
lege, and  is  now  pa:,tor  ot  the  iJaptisr  ciiurcli  m  that  town. 
]Mr.  Wood  died  Jan.  7,  Iboo,  aged  79  years. 

Jjclcher  Silvetiter,  (or  Syh'cster,  as  it  was  sometime^ 
spelled,)  was  born  in  Hanover,  Mass.,  in  176.5,  and  by 
trade  was  a  cabinet  maker.  He  came  to  Camden  in  170-3. 
An  old  resident  informs  us,  that  in  those  da}-s,  a  barrel  of 
ram  and  a  piece  of  India  cotton,  were  deemefl  sutiicieut  to 
commence  business  with,  and  such  a  bei^inning  was  that 
of  Mr.  Sylvester,  when  he  commenced  trading  here.  He 
opened  trade  near  where  the  woolen  factory  stands  and 
afterward  built  a  store  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  C:;jir. 
Caleb  Thomas"  building.  He  also  built  the  building  n'>w 
occupied  by  Messrs.  Daniels  and  Currier.  As  he  acc  'lu- 
lated  money,  he  invested  it  in  landed  property,  with  uhich 
he  made  lucrative  speculations.  ^Nlr,  S.  v  -is  a  man  ot  \  '.ry 
steady  liabits  :  more  ambitious  to  acqiiiro  wealth,  th  m  ti 
enjoy  distinction  of  any  kind:  some\\hat  eccentric  in  his 
ways,  and  dir^inclined  to  mingle  in  society.  Acquirwiic 
competency,  he  removed  to  his  native  tov.n,  about  the  \'  ir 
l'^2'),  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  surround- 
ed by  his  relations,  and  the  associates  uf  his  early  years. 
He  M-as  nevf  r  marric-L  and,  at  the  t;;-:-::  of  his  drath\ 
which  ocmrred  M:iy  11,  18  19,  he  Nvas  estimated  to  be 
worth  ■'s^D.OOO. 

Bri^j'Uuiu  (Ja>ilii)i(j,  Esq.,  was  born  in  Hanover,  iMass.. 
IS* 


216 


BIOGRA.PHICAL  SKETCHES. 


in  1774.  He  was  a  son  of  Hon.  Joseph  Cushing,  avIio  was 
JiidLTe  of  Probate  for  PI\Tnouth  county.'^ 

The  subject  of  this  sketcii  came  to  Camden  in  the  year 
1 794,  in  company  with  his  brother  Joseph,  and  entered  in- 
to trade  in  the  store  previously  occupied  by  Dergen,  on  the 
site  v.-here  Capt.  Thomas'  store  stands,  and  afterwards  trad- 
ed in  the  E.  C.  Daniels'  store,  and  subsequently  built  and 
occupied,  as  a  store,  the  lliint  buikiing.  After  the  death 
of  jrlr.  Hathaway,  (his  brother-in-law,  j  he  succeeded  to  the 
office  of  post-master,  which  position  he  held  from  the  year 
ISOO  to  1830.  In  speakin^j:  of  the  mail  orrangernents  In 
early  times,  j.Ir.  Cashing  luiorms  us,  rhat  the  mail  carrier 
used  to  arrive  once  a  week,  at  no  particular  hour  of  the 
day;  for  it  was  considered  punctual  if  it  arrived  within  the 
bounds  of  the  appointed  day.  The  salary  of  a  post-master 
here  was  about  86  a  quarter,  when  Mr.  C.  first  became  an 
incumbent  of  the  office.  Oct.  21,  1800,  he  was  married 
to  ]Miss  Jane  Eaton  of  this  town,  by  whom  he  had  five 
daughters.  "While  in  trade,  he  engaged  largely  in  ship- 
building,! which  business  he  was  concerned  in  for  many 
years.  He  was  one  of  the  selectmen,  from  1799  to  1802. 
aud  subsequcn':ly  Justice  of  Peace.  After  the  State  was 
divided,  he  went  one  year  as  Representative  to  Portland. 
As  v/e  have  before  stated,  Mr.  C.  was  one  of  the  hostages 
who  went  to  Castine  durin?  the  "  last  war'  with  England. 
Retiring  from  business  sorae  years  since,  witii  a  compe- 
tency, this  venerable  citizen  still  lives  at  an  advanced  age, 
in  the  enjo^mient  of  ordinary  health,  and  the  possession  of 
faculties  com/parativcly  good. 

John  Hathawaij,  K'^q,,  son  of  Abraham  Plathaway  of 


*  For  furthernotics  of  Judge  Cuslun?,  we  would  refer  the  reader 
to  Barry's  IIt;'-tory  of  Hanover,  p.  110;  for  a  gcncalogicid  sketch  of 
the  litmiiy,  to  p.  2Sy. 

f-  The  first  vessel  built  in  Caraderi  wa.s  by  Ilowland.  Rogers,  who 
died  ia  Me.hord,  ilass.,  March  1,  1311,  nged  50  a  ears. 


BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  217 

Ilaynliani,  was  born  in  Wrcntham,  Mass.  ;  graduated  at 
Brown  University,  and,  ^vhile  teaching  school,  studied  law 
Avirh  .■Judg'C  Benj.  Whitman,  of  Hanover.  Soon  after 
ctjrapleting  his  legal  studies,  he  decided,  on  the  represen- 
L.ition  of  friends  who  had  settled  here,  to  come  to  Camden, 
which  he  did  in  1796,  There  being  no  ia\Ayer  here,  he 
was  the  first  one  to  enter  upon  the  practice.  Being  satis- 
lied  witli  the  prospect  before  him,  he  determined  to  take 
up  his  permanent  abode  iiere,  and  with  this  view,  he  was 
married  to  ^Sliss  Deborali  Cashing,  (  sister  of  Benj.  C;  of 
Hanover,  Sept,  1*1,  1797.  For  a  law  otHce,  he  buih  the 
small  buildini:  adjoininjr  3Ir.  S.  Hunt's  harness  shop. 
Succeeding  Mr.  Eaton  as  post-master,  he  attended  to  the 
duties  of  that-  otrice,  in  addition  to  his  regular  business, 
liy  doing  business  in  the  courts  for  the  Twenty  Associates, 
he  soon  becam.e  quite  extensively  known,  and  rapidly 
obtained  the  confidence,  and  esteem  ,of  his  senior  brethren 
of  the  bar.  The  appreciation  in  which  his  talents  and 
abilities  were  held  by  those  who  had  occasion  to  resort  to 
the  con>traints  of  law,  is  readily  seen  by  tlie  amount  of 
practice  he  had  at  the  courts  in  the  different  parts  of  the 
StLite.  As  a  pleader,  he  was  forcible  in  argument,  and 
cloejuent  in  style,  and  almost  invariably  engaged  the  atten- 
tion of  his  auditors,  to  the  close  of  his  plea.  His  healthy 
constitution  inspiring  in  him  a  confidence  of  life  being 
contmued  many  years,  he  laid  out  his  plans  accordingly. 
Wihle  having  the  house  erected  where  E.  Gushing,  Esq., 
liv.."^.  he  was  taken  ill  with  typhus  fever,  which  terminated 
hi.  life  Ocr.  G.  1790,  at  the  early  age  of  26  years.  He 
iiad  one  son,  who  was  lost  at  sea  wiien  23  years  old.  iNIr. 
liathaway  s  wi:low,  who  was  born  in  1771,  still  survives, 
'0  v.iiom  we  are  indebted  for  the  principal  tacts  in  this 

J-I--  '/  I'ij'rh,  }f.  /).,  was  born  in.  Groton,  Mass.,  and 
graduared  at  Darnnoufh  college.  Came  to  Camden  about 
the  year  IbOO.    Nov.  12,  1806,  he  was  married  to  2vlis3 


218 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


Kebekah  Woods  of  Dunstable,  ^Mass.  The  Doctor's  forte 
was  in  teaching  school,  and  not  a  few  of  those  of  our 
citizens  who  haye  attained  eminence  in  their  chosen  pur- 
suits, attribute  their  success,  to  ttie  early  trainiuLr  they 
received  under  the  tuition  of  Dr.  Patch.  For  a  number  of 
years,  he  was  one  of  the  superintending  town  school  com- 
mittee. As  a  medical  practitioner,  he  never  stood  in  the 
front  rank,  which  he  iniLrht  have  done,  had  his  practical 
understanding  and  skill,  corresponded  with  his  deep  reading 
and  extensive  theoretical  knowledge.  In  case  the  utility 
of  any  of  his  prescriptions,  or  modes  of  treatment,  were 
called  in  question,  he  was  ever  read}-,  trom  his  abundant 
information,  to  quote  any  number  of  medical  authorities  in 
support  of  his  procedure.  The  Doctor's  individuality  often 
exhibited  itself  through  his  eccentricities,  vv'hich  were  the 
natural  outijrowth  of  his  peculiar  temperament  and  dispo- 
sition. Deli^iitin'::  in  numismatics,  he  made  an  extensive 
collection  of  rare  coins  of  every  description,  many  of  wiiich 
are  now  in  tlie  cabinet  of  a  somewhat  enthusiastic  anti- 
quary.  He  had  1.5'»  gold  coins,  of  as  many  dliferent  kinds. 

Characteristic  of  the  Doctor,  is  tli  Un\  y  .'..i:  incuh'nt:  — 
At  one  time,  lie  was  <^oing  to  Pj.i.^rna  in  a  vessel,  but 
missing  of  his  passage  by  her  sailin-j:  bef^u-e  tlie  hour,  lie 
at  once  started  fur  his  destination  on  foot.  ;iad.  thouL^h  a 
very  inert  man.  arrived  there  before  the  c;)piani  reached 
the  harbor.     In  like  manner  he  returned. 

He  died  without  issue,  June  2;'),  k^rllt),  'vj:'-d  73  years. 
His  relict  deceased  Aj^ril  is,  I8.34.  at  the        ot  7o  years. 

Colou'-J  Erasfus  J:"  - '  .  was  horn,  it  is  :.  ved,  in  Gill, 
Mass.  From  a  sketch  of  his  life  in  tue  ..■/■/  /,■  E ■•nn(f''/i.-^f. 
of  Aug.  2,  18.50,  and  from  an  obltuir\  norii  e  O'-opared  bv 
his  son  >oon  aft'T  his  (h isf.  as  well  as  from  other  sources. 


J^.tmucl  Huikley  of  >'       Li  o^n,  ii.t,         <oV\i         iq  tiie 


industry.  Col.  l-'(;o(;o 
tc-ring  the  prca-iiu'  t-;  of 


''•^•ilosN  >.     T.,  •   '      '  ncrj^v  and 
■  (* 

Lis  ov.n  edm.Mtor.  wituout  en- 
Stail}  in;;-  law  inulL-r  Hon. 


I 
I 

f 


I 

I- 


BIOGll-lPlIICAX  SKETCHES. 


bar  in  1800,  during  v.'hich  year,  lie  took  up  his  abode  in 
Camden,  where  he  immediately  commenced  a  successfai 
practice.  In  1811,  he  was  appointed  County  Attorney  for 
Lincoln  County.  In  1812  elected  Senator  of  tho  Legisla- 
ture of  Massachuscits.  During  the  war  of  1812-14,  he 
was  commissioned  as  Colonel  of  the  hfth  regiment,  in  which 
relation  he  is  often  mentioned  in  our  sketches  of  that  period. 
After  scrvhig  this  town  as  a  valuable  citizen  in  various  po- 
sitions of  public  confidence,  Col.  Foote  removed  to  Wis- 
casset  in  1815.  In  1820  he  was  chosen  Senator  of  the 
Legislature  of  ^Maine,  then  organized  as  a  new  State,  and 
same  year  was  appointed,  by  Gov,  King,  Attorney  General 
of  Maine.  This  otfice  he  held  twelve  years,  and  gave  tone 
and  character  to  the  criminal  jurisprudence  which  were 
honorable  to  him,  and  highly  appreciated  by  the  public. 
The  late  distinguished  Chief  Justice  ]VreUen  had  a  high 
opinion  of  Col.  Foote' s  talents  and  learning  in  that  depart- 
ment of  the  judiciary,  and  the  eloquent  Benjamin  Orr, 
then  at  the  head  oi  the  bar  in  Maine,  used  to  say  "  it  is 
almost  impossible  to  %\Test  a  criminal  out  of  the  hands  of 
brother  Foote."  Yet  no  man  could  be  more  kind  where  he 
thought- an  individual  was  unjustly  suspected,  or  vindictive- 
ly accused.  He  was  the  prosecutor  of  the  guiltu,  but  not 
the  persecutor  of  the  poor  and  friendless.  As  a  counselor 
and  advocate,  he  stood  in  the  foremost  rank  of  jurists,  and 
that,  too,  at  a  time  when  there  were  many  talented  men,  and 
sound  special  pleaders  in  the  State,  and  before  the  profes- 
sion was  thrown  open  to  illiterate  purveyors  of  suits,  and 
to  those  who  practice  a  mere  brokerage  of  emolument.  He 
was  a  man  of  hne  endowments  by  nature,  and  had  made 
the  criminal  law,  in  all  its  history  and  relations,  the  study 
of  his  life.  He  was  fundamentally,  and  historically  pre- 
pared, for  all  pos.^ible  turns  which  his  case  might  take,  for 
ail  bars  and  oi)jections,  tiiat  nii.::ht  suddenly  be  disclosed. 
Ills  own  understanding,  penctraicd  deeply  tiic  questions  in 
issue,  he  was  learned  in  crimiiud  precedents,  and  luievv 


220 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


where  he  "was  strong,  or  where  lie  was  weak.  He  was  ac- 
customed to  contend  with  the  ablest  lawyers,  but  with  a 
perfect  mastery  of  his  cases  ho  had  confidence  in  himself ; 
was  cogent  in  argument,  terrible  in  sarcasm,  often  L.'fry  and 
po\-\  errdl  in  eloquence.  Col.  Foote  was  twice  married,  both 
wives  being  accomplished  daughters  of  ^laj.  Carlton  of 
W'iscasset.  Than  was  Col.  Foote  in  his  family,  no  father 
could  be  more  deeply  respected,  or  fondly  loved.  lie  was  a 
genial  man,  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school,"  of  urbane 
manners,  of  disrnity  of  bearing,  and  of  virtue  of  character. 
He  died  at  Wiscasset,  July  14,  1806,  aa,ed  78  years. 

Jo$<--ph  Hasty  JI.  D.,  was  born  in  Mcthucn,  2^Ia.-^s.  After 
completing  his  academic  course  at  the  Atkinson,  fMass..) 
academy,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr. 
Osgood  of  Andover,  witli  whom  he  remained  three  years, 
after  which,  he  rode  one  year  with  Dr.  Frank  Kitteridge  of 
Tewksbury,  Mass.  He  came  to  Camden,  probably  in  1796, 
during  which  year,  he  married  Lydia  Page  of  "Warren. 
She  dying  the  following  year,  he  married  Lucy  Stimson  of 
Camden,  in  1800,  who  now  siuwives  him.  They  had  no 
children.  A  whig  in  politics,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
electoral  college  of  Elaine  in  1840.  Dr.  Huse  was  popu- 
lar as  a  physician,  and  acquired  an  extensive  practice  in 
his  profession,  which  he  followed  for  half  a  century.  In 
his  latter  years,  he  placed  more  reliance  on  proper  nursing, 
than  in  the  use  of  medicine.  He  was  particularly  success- 
ful in  his  treatment  of  fevers,  in  the  s'lbduing  of  which,  he 
derived  quite  a  reputation.  Possessed  of  good  perceptive, 
and  ordinary  reflective  powers,  Dr.  Huse  evidenced  these 
endowments  of  nature,  by  a  uniform,  and  unostentatious  life. 
Having  amassed  a  competence,  he  died  June  30,  1847, 
aged  74  years.* 

CopL  Ca.lrln  Curti.^  was  bom  in  Hanover,  October  23, 


*  A  biccraphical  =k.etrh  of  Dr.  llu-'e  wiU  bo  found  iu  the  Boston 
iledicai  iiiid  iSorgicai  Juiirual  of  Auga.->t  18,  lbi7. 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


221 


1777.  His  father,  who  was  of  the  same  name,  held  a  cap- 
tarn  s  commission  in  the  Revolation.  [See  History  of  Han- 
over, chap,  viii.]  By  trade,  Capt.  Curtis  was  a  carpenter. 
He  came  to  Camden  in  1799,  and  ensjaged  in  his  occupa- 
tion. In  1805  he  was  appointed  Inspector  at  this  purr, 
which  office  he  held  nntil  his  death.  In  ISO 6  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  3[ary  Plarkness  of  Camden,  who  was  horn  in 
178.5,  and  stiU  survives  him.  In  1810,  was  chosen  town 
clerk,  in  which  capacity  he  served  several  years.  March  7, 
1811,  was  commissioned  by  Gov.  E.  Gerry  as  captain  of  a 
company  of  light  infantry  in  this  town.  His  connection 
with  military  atfalrs,  has  often  been  mentioned  in  our 
sketches  of  the  period  of  the  last  war  with  England.  ]  le 
resigned  his  military  commission  in  1815,  we  think.  He 
hid  three  sons,  one  of  which,  John  H.,  now  occupies  ti:e 
homestead.    Capt.  Curtis  deceased  in  1828. 

Jlohert  Chase,  £sq.,  was  born  in  Exeter,  X.  H.,  Novem- 
ber, 1782.  After  serving  an  apprenticeship  at  the  black- 
smith trade,  in  Portsmouth,  he  made  a  prospecting"  tour 
eastward.  Arriving  at  Camden,  in  March,  1803,  he  here 
found  employment,  and  without  proceeding  further,  con- 
cluded to  become  a  permanent  resident  of  the  place. 
Agreeably  to  this  decision,  he  became  united  by  marriage 
to  Miss  Betsey  Holt,  of  old  York,  on  the  20th  of  January, 
1806,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are 
now  living.  In  1811,  he  was  chosen  tliird  selectman,  and 
in  1813,  first  selectman,  which  position  he  held  until  1824. 
He  was  several  times  afterwards  chosen  selectman,  making 
in  all,  something  like  nineteen  years  in  ■'•rhich  he  served  in 
that  capacity.  It  will  be  recollected  thar  he  was  one  of  tLe 
ho-^tagcs  on  board  the  British  frigate  Furieuse,  in  1814. 
The  town  refusing  to  compensate  the  hostages  for  the  pe- 
cuniary loss  they  >.ifhred,  by  being  dct-ainod  from  their 
bu.^Ine.^s,  the  ani'iiuiL  w  v  made  up  bypnx  ato  subscripcioa, 


1 


222  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

as  we  find  by  the  subscription  paper  now  before  us.*  In 
1836  and  lSo7,  he  represented  this  town  in  the  Lec^i^lature. 

Mr.  Chase  was  a  very  systematic  man,  and  correct  in  his 
calculations,  and,  possessing  a  very  tenacious  memory,  he 
filled,  with  satisfaction,  the  many  positions  of  confidence 
his  townsmen  placed  him  in  by  their  voluntary  votes. 
While  at  work  in  his  shop.  May  1,  1852,  he  died  by  an 
apoplexy,  at  the  age  of  70  years. 

Xath'l  JIarfin,  £sq.,  was  bora  in  London,  and  came  to 
America  when  a  boy.  Arriving  at  adult  age,  he  settled  on 
Fox  Island,  where  he  traded  until  1803,  when  he  came  to 
Camden,  and  went  into  trade.  In  1804  vre  find  he  was 
chosen  harbor  master.  January  11,  1806,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Ehoda  Foote,  sister  to  Col.  Foote,  by  whom  he 
had  thr^'*^  sons  and  one  daughter.  He  acted  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  embargo  times,  the  period  of  the  last  war  with 
his  father  country,  and  in  fact  in  every  important  affair  in 
Avhich  the  interest  of  a  public  spiriflxl  citizen  would  be  en- 
listed. He  often  presided  as  moderator  at  town  meetings, 
was  chosen  a  number  of  times  to  represent  the  town  at  the 
General  Court :  v,-as  elected  delegate  to  the  convention  that 
assembled  in  Portland,  October  11,  1810,  for  the  purpose 


*  The  above  mentioned  subHcription  paper,  beina;  an  interesting 
scrap  of  history,  we  will  hero  copy  the  heading  of  it,  whi^-'h  appears 
to  have  ^  eon  drawn  up  by  Ju<lge  Thayer,  vhose  widow  possesses 
the  docuiTient.  "  Whereas,  the  sum  of  46,28  has  been  expended 
in  iittemptini;  to  etfect  the  liberation  of  Messrs.  Gushing  and  Chase, 
late  on  b<;ard  the  Briti.-h  frigate  Furieuse  as  hostages.  Each  of  the 
■undersi^'.^-.d,  thcreioiv,  -wi^hiu;^  tliat  the  above  expenses  should  be 
paid,  and  'v\a-il!inLr,  likewise,  that  Mr.  Chase  should  be  paid  the 
further  sum  of  $50,  for  hia  time  and  expenses  while  a  hostas^e 
R.S  aforesaid,  promise  to  pay  the  sum  set  against  his  name  for  the 
purpose  of  ucir;iy  ia'^  the  above  cspeuses,  and  pay  in;::  Mr.  Chase 
for  hii  tI:uo  and  cxpei.-es  as  above  -^tatod.  Feh.  7,  IS  1,3."  The 
sum  sub^-nbed  amouuid  to  ^-hl-  The  autoj^raphs  are  a  curiosity 
of  themselves. 


BTOGR.VPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


223 


of  forming  a  constitution  for  the  State  of  Maine  ;  was  se- 
lectman a  number  of  years  ;  in  fact,  occupied  and  jiiU-d 
every  orfice  of  trust  within  the  pov\-er  of  a  town  to  confer 
upon  a  citizen.  To  the  resjret  of  his  many  friends,  he  so 
fi\r  sattered  hnuself  to  be  led  by  Bacchus,  as  to  materiahy 
affect  his  business,  and  cause  him  to  seek  to  retrieve  his  for- 
tune, by  leaving:  here  in  1823,  and  becoming  a  commission 
agent  in  Xew  York  city.  "While  acting  in  that  capacity, 
he  introduced  eastern  lime  into  tlie  market  there,  which 
soon  superseded  that  of  the  Xortli  river  quarries,  on  ac- 
count of  its  superior  qualities.  ^Ir.  Martins  sisters, 
Penelope  and  Carherhie,  will  be  rcm-cmbered  by  many,  as 
having  been  accomplished  teachers  of  a  female  school  in 
Portland,  which  they  taught  for  about  thirty  years.  In  his 
palmiest  days,  ^Nlr.  Martin  was  considered  as  a  perfect  gen- 
tleman, so  far  as  manners  were  concerned.  The  time  of  his 
death  we  cannot  ascertain. 

Capf.  Noah  Brooks,  was  born  in  Scituate,  }>Iass.  i_For 
an  account  of  his  ancestors,  see  Deane's  History  of  Scit- 
uate, p.  224,  note.]  He  came  to  Camden  in  1806,  and 
being  a  ship-v;Tight  by  trade,  commenced  the  ship-baildiiig 
business,  in  coimection  with  Benj.  Cashing,  and  afterwards 
carried  it  on,  on  his  own  account.  He  married  Miss  Esther 
Stetson  of  Scituate,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  six  of 
whom  survive.  During  the  last  war  with  England,  he  was 
commissioned  as  a  Lieutenant  in  Capt.  Asha  Palmer's 
infmtry  company  in  this  towm.  In  1819,  he  removed  to 
East  Boston,  where  he  carried  on  ship-building  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  While  living  there,  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  city  council,  and,  afterward,  a  representative  to  the 
Massachusetts  Legislature,  In  1842,  or  1843,  he  retired 
from  business,  and  removed  to  Dorchester,  where  he  built 
a  Rue  residence.  H"  died  near  the  year  1852,  worth  about 
J^OO.OUU.    ills  widow  .-^tiii  hUxvb.Ls. 

Williani  Carh  tun,  A'^i^.,  was  born  in  Methuen,  Mass., 
and  came  to  Camden,  probably,  in  1806,  \\here  he  com. 
10 


224  BIOGEAi'lIICAL  SKETCIIIIS. 

menced  the  mercantile  bii>iuoss.  For  his  first  wife,  he 
married  a  2kliss  ^lirick,  iiivd.  t'lr  his  .seeoiid  wife,  Betsey 
CrowcU,  both  of  rriucctoii,  }.[.i.s.  He  hatl  ci^^^ht  chihh-en, 
all  of  whom  were  sons.  Diirin'j;  the  war  of  lb  12-14,  he 
was  Adjutant  of  the  f.ftli  v;  ^'-Mitut.  lie  carried  on  the 
mercantile  business  at  the  Harbor,  (on  the  spot  where  Mr. 
J.  C,  Stetson  trades.)  until  about  the  year  1838,  when  he 
removed  to  the  Kiver,  and  there  continued  to  trade.  Mr. 
Carleton  was  a  very  cnterpri-ini;,  and  far-seeing  man,  and 
in  whatever  position  he  placed,  whether  as  Adjutant, 
County  Commissioner,  Ih\  sid'.iit  of  the  Bank,  or  commit- 
tee on  town  accounts,  he  d" -rliara-ed  tlic  duties  renting  up- 
on him,  with  ability  and  s^iti^tdction.  He  died  March  4, 
1840,  aged  61.  His  widow  is  now  the  wife  of  Bev.  Job 
Washburn,  and  still  resides  ou  the  old  homestead. 

William  Farkman,  was  a  native  of  Concord,  Mass., 
and  was  a  cousin  of  the  late  Samuel  Parkman,  Esq..,  of 
Boston.  He  came  to  tliis  town  about  the  year  1800,  after 
previously  residing  in  Lincolnvill;,',  wlierc  he  married  his 
wife.  By  trade  he  was  a  joiner,  and  in  that  capacity  he 
went  in  the  ship  ]\Iassachusets,"  on  a  voyage  to  Canton, 
in  early  life.  He  was,  for  many  years,  an  agent  for  the 
*'  20  Associates."'  For  severed  years  lie  was  selectman. 
He  died  Dec.  21,  1839,  aged  70.  His  wife,  Sarah,  died 
Nov.  3,  18 Jo,  aged  nearly  81. 

AkUn  Bass,  Avas  born  in  Hanover,  Mass.,  Jan.  30,  1776 
came  to  Camden  about  the  year  1800,  where,  as  a  house 
carpenter,  he  commenced  working  at  his  trade.  }*[arch  .5, 
1802,  he  married  Miss  llhod  i  Tyh  r,  a  native  of  ^Methuen. 
By  her,  he  had  fotir  ehihlren,  two  s-jus  and  two  daughters, 
trircc  of  whom  survive.  He  ca>,t  one  of  the  two  flr^t  votes 
thrown  in  this  town  by  the  Republican  party  in  opposition 


*  A  qejiealo^ical  record  u£  l\lv.  V)ii~^y>'  anee-it'-rs  will  be  ioiuui  in 
tliC  IIi.-5tory  of  Ix'innvor,  pp.  "Jil-,         :;n>l  ulso  in  'lli.iycr',,  Fajuiiy 


-EIOGR.VPIIICAL  SKETCHES.  225 

to  the  Federalists.  He  was  quite  an  earnest  partisan,  and, 
as  a  leader  in  his  party,  he  was  elected  representative  to 
the  General  Court  in  1814.  At  the  time  of  the  arranfjc- 
ment  of  parties,  in  1825,  he  identified  himself  with  the 
Whig  party,  wirli  vrhicii  iie  afterwards  acted.  But  his/'.;/-/e 
was  in  being  a  finished  workmnn,  in  his  chosen  pursuit, 
which  he  industriously  followed  through  life.  He  died  Oct. 
26,  1851. 

Ji'^y.  EJivard  Han/GrrL  it  is  believed,  was  born  in  Ncr- 
walk.  Conn.  He  came  to  Camden  about  the  year  1806, 
and,  being  a  hatter,  vrorked  at  his  trade.  He  afterwards 
went  into  ti'ade.  In  time  of  the  last  war,''  he  was  a 
Lieutenant,  and,  after  peace  was  proclaimed,  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  Major.  He  was  selectman  one  year, 
and  toN\-n  clerk  four  years.,  and  occupied  other  to^\^l  offices. 
Affected  with  a  disease  of  the  heart,  it  is  supposed  it  in- 
duced the  quietude  of  manners  he  evinced  during  the  last 
score  years  of  his  life.  He  married  a  widow  lady,  by  whom 
he  had  three  daughters.  He  died  in  Belfast,  at  the  house 
of  L.  11.  Palmer,  Esq.,  his  son-in-law,  May  3,  1851,  aged 
76  years.    None  of  his  family  now  survive. 

John  XirhnJson.  We  cannot  ascertain  the  birth-place 
of  Mr.  X.,  but  know  he  was  brought  up  by  Col.  Head,  of 
Warren,  in  whose  store  he  was  a  clerk  for  a  number  of 
years  before  coming  to  Camden.  He  came  here  about  the 
year  1808-0,  and  commenced  a  West  India  Goods  and 
Grocery  store,  where  ^Vlr,  E.  C.  Daniels  keeps.  Ho  after- 
wards built  the  "Norwood  block,"  and  there  traded.  Ho 
was  one  of  the  most  enterprising  traders  in  town,  and  was 
quite  largely  interested  in  navigation.  We  mentioned  one 
of  his  transactions  in  the  fourteenth  ntimber  of  t]K-~.e 
sketches.  He  m.aiTied  Miss  ^hivy  llavtwcll  of  Princeton, 
Muss.  Ct)nsumption  enfeebling  his  bo'ly,  l',c  closed  up  his 
business  near  the  year  181G,  and  sou-ht  for  health  by 
traveling  south.    But  the  change  of  ciinyate  was  inefiectu- 


226 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


al  in  arresting  the  progress  of  his  disease,  and  he  fell  a 
victim  to  its  power. 

Friie  HalU  Esq.^  was  born  in  ]vlethuen.  3[as>.  He  came 
to  Camden,  it  is  supposed,  about  the  year  180G,  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother  Farnhani,  N\  ho  traded  here  until  after 
the  war,  and  then  removed  to  Xev,'  York.  Frye,  being  a 
tanner  by  trade,  worked  at  the  business  a  number  of  years, 
and  then  went  to  store-keeping,  but  without  great  success. 
In  1821,  he  was  chosen  town  clerk,  and  served  in  that  ca- 
pacity until  1826.  For  a  series  of  years,  he  was  committee 
on  accounts.  About  the  year  182(3,  he  removed  to  Flope, 
and  resided  there  unril  182  7,  w  iicn  lie  was  slinultancoiisly 
elected  County  Treasurer  and  llegister  of  Deeds  of  tne 
then  just  formed  County  of  Waldo.  Fie  then  took  up  his 
residence  in  Leiia.-t,  where  he  remained  untd  the  close  of 
hii  life.  We  think  he  held  the  office  of  Register  of  Deeds 
until  1847,  but  the  length  of  time  he  was  County  Treas- 
urer, we  cannot  now  ascertain.  Being  a  ]Mason,  he  had 
conferred  upon  him  by  that  fraternity,  the  otfice  of  District 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  which  place  he  filled  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  August,  1819.  at  t!ie  aiie  of 
nearly  63  years.  In  Mr.  Hall  were  combined  the  various 
valuable  traits  of  a  christian  citizen.  Flis  surviving  wife, 
by  whom  he  had  eleven  children,  (two  of  M  uoni  are  dead.) 
was  Eliza,  daughter  of  Capt.  John  Pendleton  of  Camden. 

Hon.  Jo.i''pJt  Ha'L  brother  to  the  prccedinu,  was  born  in 
Methuen,  June  26,  17l'o.  In  1809,  he  left  his  native  vil- 
lage and  settled  in  Caimlcn.  With  the  exctpUon  of  a  few 
months  passed  at  .^ch;H)l  in  .\:idover,  Mas.;.,  he  was  em- 
ployed as  clerk  until  he  became  of  age.  In  1813  he  was 
elected  an  otiicer  in  the  militia  ;  was  subsecpiently  chosen 
Captain  of  Camden  Li.i^dit  Infantry;  soon  afr-r  was  elected 
iMajor,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  then  Colonel.  Ihiring  the  war 
of  1812,  he  commantied  a  detachment  of  thiny  men,  and 
the  parapets  upon  F^.aton"s  and  Jacob's  Point,  u  ere  erected 
under  his  supervision. 


! 


I 


BlOGKArilirAL  SKKTCHES. 


227 


In  ISIG.  ^[r.  Hall  married  ]^Iary,  tlio  dano-hter  of  Capt, 
Xathaii  Howe  of  vSlirewsbury,  ^lass.*'-'  In  1821  he  \vus 
appointed  Deputy  iSherift'  of  Lincoln  and  Hancock  Coun- 
ties. His  wife  died  in  182-5,  Icavint;;:  six  children.  In 
1827.  Col.  Hail  was  a,2;ain  married  to  Eliza,  daui^htcr  of 
William  Parkman,  Es(].,  of  this  town.  After  Waldo 
County  Avas  formed,  in  1827,  Col.  Hall  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  Sheritf,  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  an 
organization  of  the  County,  in  July  of  the  same  year.  In 
1830,  he  was  appointed  Post-master  at  Camden,  and,  in 
18oo,  was  elected  the  first  Pcpresentative  to  Coimress  from 
"Waldo  District.  In  18o.>  he  -was  re-elected  by  an  increas- 
ed majority,  and  thus  remained  in  Washington  during  the 
clo-^ing  years  of  President  Jackson's  exciting  administra- 
tion. The  post-master  at  Camden  died  in  1837,  while  in 
possession  of  the  ofR.cc,  and  at  the  solicitation  of  his 
friends.  Col.  Hall  accepted  again  the  position  of  ])ost~ 
master  licre. 

In  1808,  CoL  Hall  received  tlie  appointment  of  Measurer 
in  the  Boston  Custom  House,  and  retained  the  position 
until  18  Ki,  wlien  the  office  of  Xavy  Agent  for  the  port  of 
Bos^^on  '^vas  conferred  upon  hini  by  his  personal  friend  and 
associate  in  Congress,  President  Polk,  without  application 
on  the  part  of  Mr.  Hall.  In  1840,  he  was  removed  by 
President  Taylor,  on  political  grounds,  and,  in  the  fall  of 
tlie  same  year,  was  the  candidate  of  the  Democratic  party 
f<^r  Mayor  of  Boston,  receiving  the  entire  vote  of  the  party 
in  the  city,  a  conclusive  evidence  of  the  higli  estimation 
a'.rai:ii.,d  by  his  resilience  in  the  metropolis  of  New  Eng- 
land. In  the  winter  of  18  49.  having  purchased  the  faiTii  of 
the  late  Capt.  William  Norwood  at  Camden,  he  returned 
thiriier  with  his  family.  In  18-") 7.  lie  was  offered  ^he  posi- 
tion of  Wei'jhfT.  M-asurer  and  (Ju.igcr,  in  the  Boston  Cus- 

*  For  a  qcne;ilo'_'io;il  r«?'^i>ter  of  tlio  family,  f^C"  Ward's  History  of 
Shrew  !  :ury,  pn:^^-  3 1 1. 


1 


'I 


228 


BIOGRVrmCAL  SKETCHES. 


torn  House,  by  tlic  present  Collector,  the  Hon.  Arthur  W. 
Austin,  which  position  he  otill  retains. 

By  his  second  wife,  Col.  Hall  has  seven  childi-en,  making 
the  whole  number  thirteen,  all  of  wliom,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  two  by  his  first  wife,  still  survive. 

Xo  citizen  of  Camden  has  filled  so  many  offices  of  public 
trust,  as  the  subject  of  this  si<:etch,  in  all  of  vrhich  he  has 
evinced  an  ability  commensurate  to  the  station.  He  has 
now  attained  to  a  venerable  age,  possessed  of  sound  health, 
and  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  his  faculties. 

Ho'->.  Joiio.thon  Th'iy/rr,  was  born  at  iMilford,  ]Mass., 
Jan.  2o.  1779,  and  uraduated  at  Brown  University,  11.  I., 
in  1803.  After  he  had  completed  his  collegiate  course,  he 
t;iught  an  academy  for  two  years  in  Rhode  Island,  after 
which,  he  entered  the  otiice  of  Nathaniel  Searl,  an  eminent 
lawyer  of  Providence,  and,  after  reading  law  with  him  for 
two  years,  went  to  Norton  and  continued  his  studies  under 
Hon.  Laban  Wheaton,  another  distinguished  member  of  the 
legal  profession,  with  whom  he  remained  one  year.  In 
Sept.  1808,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Taunton,  IMass., 
and  soon  commenced  practice  at  Dighton,  where  he  re- 
mained for  three  years,  and  in  1811,  removed  to  Camden. 

In  1821,  Mr.  Thayer  married  Sophia,  youngest  daughter 
of  Hon.  Thomas  Rice  of  Wiscasset.  In  1825,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Executive  Council,  and  re-elected 
for  tliree  successive  years.  He  served  as  one  of  the  conned 
of  the  lamented  Lincoln,  for  whom  he  ever  entertained  the 
highest  respect.  He  also  served  in  the  councils  of  Gov, 
Parris,  between  whom,  and  himself,  there  ahvays  existed  a 
warm  friendship.  Gov.  Parris  was  at  one  time  Judge 
upon  the  Supreme  bench,  and  they  were  long  and  intimate- 
ly acquainted  in  court  and  council. 

In  I'^'ol,  he  v.'js  ;'J ii>oiiii:cd  a  County  Commissioner,  but 
that  office  not  bein  j;  cou'rcniiil  to  his  tastes,  he  resigned  it, 
and  the  next  year  was  elected  Senator.  In  1840,  he  was 
appointed  Judge  of  Probate,  by  Gov,  Fail-field,  the  duties 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


229 


of  '.vhicli  office,  he  performed  for  seven  years  with  ability, 
and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  public. 

Judge  Thayer  was  an  effective  debater  ;  a  gentleman  of 
great  reading,  and  of  nice  discrimination.  He  was  a  cl<jse 
student,  and  imbibed  the  principles  of  conmion  law  from 
its  purest  fountains  —  from  the  works  of  eminent  English 
authors.  For  many  years  he  had  an  extensive  practice  in 
Lincoln,  Hancock,  and  Waldo,  As  counsel,  he  was  often 
associated  with,  or  pitted  against  gentlemen  of  much  abil- 
ity. His  name  will  be  found  hi  the  reports  of  cases,  either 
as  opposing,  or  associate  counsel,  with  Allen,  Crosby, 
Samuel  Fessenden,  Greenieaf,  Longfellow,  Orr,  Pv.!]ggies, 
Wilson,  Williamson,  Wheeler,  and  others.  In  1830,  the 
Reports  show  that  he  was  either  for  plaintiff  or  defendant,  in 
every  case  ar,gued  before  the  Supreme  Court,  at  Waldo  bar. 

While  Judge  Thayer  was  in  full  practice,  many  studeuts- 
at-law,  sought  the  advantage  of  his  office  and  instruction. 
The  followiiie  gentlemen  availed  themselves  of  his  tuition  : 
Thos.  Bartlett,  Esq.;  Hon.  Geo.  M.  Chase, 'late  consul  at 
Laliania,  deceased;  Waterman  T.  Hewett,  Esq.,  deceased; 
Augustus  C.  Eobbins,  Esq.,  Col.  E.  K.  Smart,  his  son-in- 
law,  and  X.  T.  Talbot,  Esq.,  of  Rockport. 

For  thirty-four  years.  Judge  Thayer  was  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  church,  but,  although  connected  to  a  par- 
ticular sect,  he  ever  manifested  towards  other  denomina- 
tions, great  charity  and  toleration  for  their  opinions. 

A  week  previoiis  to  his  decease,  he  rose  very  early  in  the 
morning,  with  a  view  to  take  the  steamer  Daniel  Webster 
for  the  city  of  Belfast.  It  being  dark  and  rainy,  he  evi- 
dently mistook  a  platform  in  the  ship-yard,  for  the  side- 
walk near  the  road,  from  which  he  fell,  resulting  in  his 
death,  which  occurred  Sept.  20^  18.53,  at  the  age  of  74 
years  and  8  months,''" 


*  We  have  coiiden«ed  the  above  from  an  obiraary  notice  in  the 
Christian  ilirror  ol  Oct.  18,  lbo3,  v.Titteii  by  Coi.  Smart,  l^or 


230 


BIOGRArillCAL  SKETCHES. 


Cifpt.  WiU'iam  Xorn:ood,  born  on  Mt.  Desert.  Fol- 
lowing the  sea  in  early  Kfo,  he  settled  in  what  is  now  Xortli 
Haven,  where,  Jan.  8.  1S04,  he  maiTied  ^Nliss  Deborah 
Winslow  of  that  place,  whose  ancestors  formerly  resided 
on  the  place  now  known  as  the  Daniel  \Vebster  farm  in 
!Marshneld.  Not  desirin:^  to  risk  his  property  in  so  ex- 
posed a  place  as  the  islands,  durinq'  the  war,  he  removed 
to  Camden  in  I6l2,  and  entered  into  the  commercial  busi- 
ness. He  first  traded  in  tlie  Stockbrid^c  building,  and 
afterwards  purchased  of  Nicholson,  »"he  "  Xorwnod  block," 
as  it  is  now  called.  He  first  resided  in  the  old  '*  mansion 
house,"  and  afterwards  bought  the  place  now  occupied  "i>y 
his  son,  Capt.  W.  A.  Norwood.  He  also  owned,  and  had 
carried  on  for  him,  the  Col.  Hall  farm.  Mr.  Norwood  ^va.s 
largely  engaged  in  navigation  and  trade,  to  wiiich  he  closely 
devoted  his  attention,  with  deserved  success.  Capt.  Nor- 
wood had  six  children,  four  of  whom  now  survive.  He  died 
May  24,  1824,  aged  .j-3  years.  His  wife  deceased  Jan.  G, 
1849,  aged  7-5*  years. 

Frederu'J:  Jnrohs,  son  of  iSamuel,  was  born  in  Camden, 
and  received  his  cduc:itlon  midcr  the  tutoring  of  Dr.  Patch., 
V  ho,  by  the  way,  has  instructed  many  of  tlio.>c  who  are 
now  our  most  enterprising  citizens,  ^[r.  Jacobs  com- 
menced trade  in  liimerick.  and  afterwards  returned  to  his 
native  village,  where  he  went  into  coinpanv  with  his  broth- 
er Samnel,  who  had  studied  for  the  bar.,  and  Watson 
Freeman,  who  is  now  I'nited  States  Marslral  '.f  Massachu- 
setts. They  traded  iii  the  Daniels'  buihUair.  In  the 
m.onotonous  life  of  a  small  sea-board-town  trader,  there  is 
but  little  to  call  fortli  the  lilnhcst  latent  energies  of  a  man, 
and  hence  the  superior  natural  abilities  of  }.[r.  Jacobs  were 
not  called  into  requisition,  as  they  would  h.n\e  been,  had 


resolutions  passed  nt  a  rr.cetiuL:  of  tl\c  jnem^cr^  of  Vv'^iMo  County 
i>ar,  on  the  deatli  of  Ju<1l'c  ']  h  syer,  ~c>.'  IvcpubUcau  Journal  of 
Oct.  21,  18o3. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  231. 

he  lived  in  eventful  times.  Mr.  Jacobs  may  be  said  to 
have  been  a  man  gifted  physically  and  mentally,  and  was 
one  of  our  most  enterprisinj^  merchants.  He  married  Julia, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Gushing,  Esq.,  (who  now  survives 
him,)  by  whom  he  had  six  children.  He  died  in  1834, 
aged  39  years. 

G-:n.  A}no>  IlaJc  Hodqman,  was  a  son  of  Job  Hodgman, 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Camden,  v/ho  came  from 
Mason,  X.  H.  [See  Hill's  history  of  Mason,  recently 
issued  from  the  press,  page  210.]  He  was  born  in  Cam- 
den about  the  year  1792,  and  received  his  education  from 
Dr.  Patch,  and  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  clochior 
business,  under  Ephraim  Wood.  Soon  after  completing 
his  trade,  in  1814,  he  went  to  "Warren,  where  he  carried 
on  :he  same  craft  on  his  own  account.  He  next  went  into 
the  mercantile  business,  and  engaged  quite  largely  in  ship- 
building. In  the  meantime,  the  town  was  not  unmindful 
of  his  abilities,  and  sent  him  for  six  successive  years  as 
representative,  and  two  terms  afterwards.  In  1824,  he  was 
appointed  as  Justice  of  the  Peace;  in  1827,  Colonel  of 
the  14th  Regiment,  and  was  subsequently  promoted  to 
Brigadier  General.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Govern- 
or's Council  one  year,  and  a  delegate  to  the  Convention 
that  nominated  Hon.  ^vlartin  Van  Buren,  at  Baltimore,  in 
1836.  Belonging  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  he  delivered 
an  address  before  them,  about  the  year  1830.  In  the  en- 
jo}Tnont  of  his  health  and  faculties,  he  has  now  retired 
from  business,  and  resides  in  his  adopted  town,  Warren. 
He  has  been  twice  married,  and  by  both  wives  has  had 
ten  children. 

H'ja.  Jonas  Wh^yler,  son  of  Jotham  Wheeler,  was  bom 
in  Concord,  Mass.,  Feb.  9,  1789,  and  graduated  at  Harv- 
ard Colic; ge.  in  ISKJ.  In  the  following  year  he  came  to 
Camden,  and  read  law  with  Erastus  Foote,  Esq.,  and  settled 
in  the  profL<>i(jn  in  this  town.  He  was  Justice  of  the 
Peace  ;  tirst  ilepresentative  from  this  town  to  the  State 


T. 

h 
O 

!; 

k. 

'ti 

h 
h 
I 


232 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


Legislature,  in  1820;  Colonel  in  the  militia,  and  member 
of  the  Senate  of  ^Nlaine,  of  ^vhich  he  ^vas  President  the 
t^vo  last  years  of  his  life.  As  a  politician,  Col.  AVhecler 
possessed  in  an  eminent  degTee,  the  faculty  of  electioneer- 
ing. As  a  barrister,  he  was  not  noted  for  brilliancy  of 
talents,  industry  of  research,  or  closeness  of  application. 
He  was  al'.vays  averse  to  litigation,  and  imiformly  discoun- 
tenanced it.  Being  more  successful  as  a  counselor,  than 
as  an  advocate,  his  name  docs  not  often  occur  in  the  Law 
Reports. 

Sociable,  generous,  and  free  in  his  manners,  ho  fell  in 
with  the  ideas  tliat  then  obtained,  in  indulging  in  flexible 
and  convivial  habits,"  which  WQTi»a  detriment  to  his  suc- 
cess. Colonel  Wheeler  was  a  man  of  fine  feelings,  and 
kind  sjTnpathies,  by  which  he  endeared  himsell'  to  a  large 
circle  of  friends.  His  office  Avas  in  the  Masonic  building. 
He  died,  unmarried,  May  1,  1826,  aged  37  years. 

Jos'ivh  Jone^^  was  born  in  Warren,  Mass.,  Oct.  14,  1797. 
'^iMien  he  was  three  years  old,  his  parents  removed  to  St. 
Albans,  Vt.  He  came  to  Camden  in  1818,  with  scarcely 
any  resources,  save  those  of  a  resolute  will,  and  a  deter- 
mined heart,  and  v,'as  employed  by  Nathaniel  Martin,  (who 
then  kept  in  the  Hunt  block,)  as  a  store  clerk.  Remain- 
ing with  Martin  about  three  years,  he  tlien  went  into  busi- 
ness for  himself.  About  the  year  1824,  he,  in  company 
with  Dr.  Jos.  Huse,  built  the  Sherman  building,  where  he 
traded  for  a  number  of  years,  and  then,  (near  the  year 
1833,)  built  the  brick  store  now  occupied  by  his  sons.  His 
taste  was  not  in  favor  of  public  office,  and  hence  his  name 
does  not  flourish  in  that  connection,  except  as  Adjutant  of 
the  militia,  and  as  President  of  the  ^Meijunticook  bank. 
He  was  eminently  a  man  of  business,  and,  as  such,  will 


*  Shattuek,  in  his  hi^^tory  of  Concord.  ^lass.,  page  251,  gives  a 
brief  sketch  of  CoL  "Wiiceier,  and  iiicorri  fjtly  states  liiat  he  was  a 
"delegate  to  form  the  Cuuititution"  of  Elaine. 


BIOGHAnilC.iL  SKETCHES.  233 

ah\*ays  be  regarded  as  being  among  the  most  enterprising 
of  his  class.  In  the  aspect  of  character,  he  was  a  practi- 
cal christian,  and,  ^vithout  di>play,  exercised  the  trait  of 
benevolence,  as  well  as  the  other  virtues. 

In  July,  1S51,  Mr.  Jones  received  a  paralytic  shock, 
since  which  time,  he  has  been  incapacitated  for  business. 
His  wife,  (who  was  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  ^Ir.  Nathan 
Brown,;  died  in  18-17.  Of  his  nine  children,  all  are  living 
but  one. 

Stephen  Barrows^  Esq.,  son  of  Banajah,  is  a  native  of 
this  town.  His  father  was  born  in  Attieboro',  }^[ass.,  and 
^vas  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  tlie  west  part  of  Camden. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  occupied,  for  quite  a  number  of 
years,  the  office  of  town  clerk  and  selectman,  and  was  also 
Justice  of  the  Peace.  "While  representative  of  this  town, 
at  Augusta,  he  was  chosen  Assistant  Clerk  of  the  House. 
For  a  year,  we  think,  he  was  one  of  the  Inspectors  of  the 
State  Prison.  For  many  years  he  has  been  one  of  the  lead- 
ing citizens  of  the  western  section  of  the  town.  At  about 
the  age  of  68  years,  he  still  lives  on  his  farm,  in  Rockviile, 
enjoying  the  meed  of  a  life  of  industry  and  integrity. 

2satiia)nel  DiUin/jJiain,  son  of  Joshua,  was  born  either 
in  Bristol  or  in  this  town.  His  father  came  from  Bristol, 
ile.,  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  Henry 
Knight,  on  the  post-road  leading  to  Lineobiviile, 

The  subject  of  tlii--.  notice,  married  ^Vliss  Bachcl  ^Nlirick 
of  Princeton,  Mass.,  by  whom  he  has  had  six  children,  two 
of  whom  are  living.  Z\Ir.  D.  was  one  of  the  selectmen 
Ironi  1>>2  i  to  l.SlH  ;  and  was  committee  on  ;iccounts  a  num- 
ber of  ycar.s.  For  several  years  he  was  ca-hicr  of  I\[egun- 
ticook  Bank.  Being  an  excellent  chirogT;ipher,  and  exact 
accountant,  he  often  filled  positions  where  he  exercised,  to 
pul/hc  <afi>ficti(>n,  his  aii^itude  in  tlie-..-  acquirements. 
1  i:wuu'ii  a  l.irnier  by  occ-nvidon,  he  sometimes  engaged  him- 
self as  a  cu,,rk,  wjk  u  not  occupied  ^^ith  the  bushiess  of  his 


234  BIOGHAPTTICAL  SKETCHES.  . 

* 

farm.  In  comfortable  circumstances,  he  removed  to  Old- 
to\\Ti,  about  the  year  1850,  ^vhere  he  still  resides. 

Den.  Joseph  Stetson,  son  of  ^licah,  was  born  in  Scitu- 
ate,  Mass.,  Jan.  1702.  i  For  a  gencuiogical  register  oi  the 
SI^t^on^,  see  Barry's  Fvecords  of  the  Scotson  Funiiiy,"  and 
also  History  of  Hanover,  pp.  3 78 -384.]  He  came  to 
Camden  in  Jan.  1813,  and  returned  to  his  native  place  in 
the  following  December.  On  his  return,  he  went  into  tlie 
na\y  yard,  at  Chariestown,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade, 
that  of  a  ship-carpenter.  In  Feb.  1814,  he  went  to  Lake 
Champlain,  and  there  followed  his  occupation  during  tlie 
building  of  the  American  ticet.  After  the  vessels  of  war 
were  launched,  he  returned  to  Mass.,  and,  in  June,  1815, 
again  came  to  Camden,  where  he  became  a  permanent  res- 
ident. He  worked  with  Capt.  Xoah  Brooks  until  1819, 
when  he  m.arried  IMary,  daughter  of  William  and  Lucy 
Eaton.  The  same  year  he  went  into  the  ship-building 
business,  on  his  own  account.  During  this  year,  he  was 
chosen  Captain  of  the  Light  Infantry  company,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  for  five  years.  Although  he  was  not  an  aspirant 
for  public  office,  he  was  sent  by  his  party,  (whig.)  repre- 
sentative to  the  Le():islature,  in  1844.  Mr,  S.  has  superin- 
tended, as  master,  the  building  of  something  like  70  sail 
of  vessels,  ranging  from  47,  to  1200  tons  burthen.  Since 
1824,  he  has  been  an  acceptable  member  of  the  congrega- 
tional cliurch,  of  which  he  has  been  a  deacon  for  quire  a 
number  of  years.    Of  his  ten  children,  seven  are  living. 

Hon.  Beiijmniii  J.  Pur^tr^  son  of  ^hx'].  Billv  Porter,  was 
bom  in  Beverly,  Mass.,  Sept.  20,  1703.  After  complet- 
ing his  academical  course  at  Bytitld  A^-iL-Luiuy,  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  his  uiicl>-',  Doct.  Jones. 
His  uncle  being  engaged  as  surgeon  in  tlie  (  'jutincntal  Ar- 
my, in  1770,  young  P.orter  became  surLreou'--  n\.,ite.  It  is 
believed,  that  he  acted  in  tluir  capacity  i't  L..-.:  v.  vtte's  regi- 
ment.   While  in  this  position,  he  became  acijuainted  with 


I 

i 
I 

i 
I 

i 

\ 

i 

I 

;j 

f 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


235 


many  of  tlie  leading  men  of  the  Revolution.  Among  those 
with  whom  he  "was  on  intimate  terms,  wore  Generals  Knox 
and  Lafayette.  At  the  close  of  the  vrar,  Doct.  Porter  wont 
to  Scarboro',  where  he  .practised  medicine  awhile  and  then 
went  to  8troud\\  atcr.  now  Westbrook,  where  he  remayied 
several  years,  practising  mucii  of  the  time  in  Portland, 
Avith  good  success.  Entering  into  partnership  with  ffon. 
Vrm.  King,  (subsequently  first  Governor  of  Maine,)  then 
of  Scarboro*,  in  the  lumbering  business,  he  removed  to 
Topsham,  where  they  carried  on  an  extensive  and  lucratiNC 
business,  in  connection  with  tiie  mercantile.  Soon  after 
forming  a  business  partuersliip  \v\th  ]Mr.  King,  he  entered 
into  a  matrimonial  partnership  with  his  partner's  sister, 
Elizabeth  L.  King.  Messrs.  King  &  Porter  carried  on  the 
Liusiness  until  about  the  year  1810,  when  the  former  re- 
moved to  Bath,  and  there  formed  another  branch.  By  tlie 
freshet  of  1814,  on  the  Androscogsjin  river,  Dr.  Porter 
suffered  a  loss,  in  mills,  lumber,  and,  as  one  of  the  proprie- 
tors of  the  bridge,  of  something  like  830.000.  During 
embargo  times,  his  loss  in  navigation  v/as  also  consider  i- 
ble.  Previous  to  his  misfortunes,  he  was  chosen  as  one  of 
the  Massachusetts  Governor's  Counselors,  and  was  al-^o 
Senator  from  Lincoln  County.  When  the  separation  oc- 
curred between  Maine  and  Massachusetts,  Dr.  Porter  was 
chosen  as  one  of  the  commissioners  to  make  a  division  of 
the  property.  In  the  fall  of  1820,  he  removed  from  Tops- 
ham to  Camden,  where  he  remained  until  his  deatli,  which 
occurred  Au-^mst  18,  1847,  at  the  age  of  83  years  and  11 
months.  Dr.  Porter  was  a  gentleman  of  rare  conversa- 
tional powers,  and  great  suavity  of  manners.  As  -polite 
an  Dr.  Porter,"'  was  a  rife  saying.  Of  his  six  chddren, 
three  are  living,  viz. :  —  Hon.  Chas.  R.,  of  Bath  ;  Rufus  K. 
J.,  who  lives  in  Kingtitld,  IVfe.,  and  Benj.  J.,  now  post- 
ma■^ter  in  this  town. 

Caj>L  S'j'u'i'  I  (}.  A  hum.,  son  of  Joshua  Adam.s,  was 
born  at  Owl's  Head,  Thomaston,  Sept.  28,  ISOu,  and  came 
20 


236 


BIOGSAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


to  Camden,  Oct.  1821.  He  was  clerk  in  the  store  of  Eenj. 
dishing,  Er^q.,  until  1823,  when  he  commenced  on  his  own 
account.  In  182  7,  he  married  Adeline  Cushin^i^,  daughter 
of  his  former  employer.  Devoting-  his  attention  to  the 
mercantile  business  with  assiduity,  he  found  but  little  time 
to  suffer  his  name  to  be  used  as  a  candidate  for  town  or 
other  offices.  Through  the  solicitation  of  friends,  he  ac- 
cepted a  Captain's  position  in  the  militia ;  was  chosen 
selectman,  and,  in  1840,  elected  as  town  representative. 
Capt.  Adams  is  extensively  and  favorably  known  through 
his  connection  with  commercial  aiiairs.  lie  possesses  those 
elements  of  character  which  invariably  lead  to  success. 
Of  hi3  ten  children,  nine  are  living. 

Joseph  H.  Estahrook,  M.  D.,  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Esta- 
brook,  was  born  in  Athol,  Mass.,  in  1797,  and  graduated 
at  Williams  College  in  the  class  of  1818.  In  1821,  he 
came  to  Camden,  and  entered  into  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. In  1823,  he  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  Sam'l 
Jacobs,  Esq.  Of  their  nineteen  children,  twelve  are  living. 
Dr.  Estabrook's  reputation  is  confined  principally  to  his 
profession,  though  not  exclusively  so.  An  adherent  to  the 
"Whig  party  in  politics,  that  then  powerful  organization  in 
this  State  once  evinced  their  appreciation  of  his  abilities,  by 
nominating  him  for  State  Senator.  This  mark  of  approval 
is  not  diminished  by  the  fact  that  his  party  were  unsuc- 
cessful in  then  electing  their  candidates.  A  i^trong  token 
of  the  estimation  in  which  he  is  held,  by  his  professional 
brethren,  is  that  of  his  having  been  elected  by  them.  Pres- 
ident of  the  Maine  Me^lical  Association,  a  few  years  since. 

As  a  surgeon.  Dr.  E-r.ibrook  has  but  f.w  superiors  in 
this  State,  and  as  a  physician,  his  name  hgurt'S  among  the- 
foremost  in  the  Allopathic  school.  As  the  truit  of  his  ex- 
tensive practice,  he  has  a.'  ;  \:red  quite  a  w;.;'.;  rt;pate  as  a 
consulting  physician,  l-'-r  :!■'.-  past  few  years,  he  has  had 
for  a  partner,  his  son,  '1  h. o.'i' ir-'  L.  Estabrook.  ■'vlio  ia  a 
graduate  of  the  New  York  Mtdlcal^University,  of  the  class 


BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


237 


of  1852-53.  The  latter  is  to  deliver  the  annual  address 
before  the  Maine  Medical  Association,  which  convenes  at 
"Waterville  in  the  spring  of  1859. 

Hon.  Eohraim  K.  Smart,  son  of  Rev.  E.  K.  Smart,  a 
Methodist  ckrgynian,  ^vas  born  in  Prospect,  (now  Scai 
port.)  in  1S13.  In  1831,  his  father  met  with  a  sudden 
death.  A  year  after,  his  father's  property  was  destroyed 
by  lire,  which  consequently  left  the  subject  of  our  sketch, 
at  the  age  of  eighteen,  without  assistance  or  friends  to  aid 
him.  Determined  to  obtain  an  education  by  his  own  ex- 
ertions, he  applied  himself  with  diligence  to  his  studies  at 
home,  and  afterwards,  for  two  years,  placed  himself  under 
the  tuition  of  Dr.  Holmes,  of  Winthrop,  and  then  went  lo 
the  Maine  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Kcadfield,  where  he  re- 
mained five  terms.  In  IBtia,  he  came  to  Camden,  and 
entered  the  law  otfi.ce  of  Hon.  Jonathan  Thayer,  and  after 
three  years  study,  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  afterwards 
married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Judge  Thayer.  In  1838,  was 
appointed  post-master  of  Camden.  In  1841,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  years,  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  Maine. 

appohited  Aid-de-camp  to  Gov.  Fairfield,  with  rank 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel,  in  1842.  The  - same  year,  he  was 
re-elected  to  the  Senate.  In  1843,  he  went  to  the  State  of 
Missouri,  and  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law  in  thit 
State,  as  an  Attorney  and  Counselor  at  law  and  Solicitor 
in  Chancery.  In  the  following  year,  (1844)  he  returned  to 
Camden,  where  he  continued  to  practice  in  his  profession. 
In  1845,  he  was  re-appointed  post-master  of  Camden.  In 
18  17.  he  was  elected  to  Con.gress,  by  the  Democratic  partv, 
and  returned  by  them  to  the  same  position  in  1850.  Tiie 
marked  ability  M  ith  which  Col.  Smart  served  his  constitu- 
ents, while  in  Congress,  shows  that  they  did  not  over- 
estinvite  his  talents.  Soon  after  his  term  of  otiice  at 
Wasiiiugton  expir*-d,  in  1853,  he  was  aijpointed  Collector 
of  Customs  of  Belfast  District.  While  acting  in  this 
capacity,  he  establiohed  the  JIaine  Free  Frcss  in  1854, 


238 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


which  he  edited  with  much  vi'jor,  for  -ilioiit:  three  years. 
Plis  term  of  office,  as  Collector  of  Inlfust,  havlni;  expired 
by  limitation,  in  18-38,  he  return' lo  tiic  practice  of  law 
in  Camden,  in  com])any  v,  itii  'i'liaddeus  R.  Simonton, 
E.-^q..  a  graduate  of  Bo-.^  'U^i'i  Coiic^e,  uf  the  «Jass  of  18.53. 

Col.  Smart's  wife,  by  whom  lie  had  tliree  children,  two 
of  whcmi  survive,  died  in  the  spring  of  18.38,  greatly  be- 
loved and  respected  by  ail. 

So/}.  JIaurice  C.  Bhilce,  son  of  the  late  Dr.  Blake,  of 
Otisfield,  we  think,  graduated  at  Bowdoln  Colleire  in  1838, 
soon  after  which  he  commenced^  tiie  study  uf  law  in  the 
otiicc  of  Hon.  Samuel  ressenden,  of  i'cirtlind.  About  the 
year  1841-42,  he  came  to  Camdea  and  entered  into  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  In  1810,  he  was  elected,  by  the 
Whig  party,  town  representative.  I'nder  President  Tay- 
lor's administration,  he  was  ap}:.ointed  Collector  of  the 
Belfast  Keveuue  Distiict,  which  place  he  held  for  four 
}ear.s.  Believing  that  a  wide  s])herc  of  action  would  be 
more  compatible  \\  ith  ta^te,  he  starteii  for  California, 
in  August,  1853,  and  arrived  tlitre  in  the  shin  "'Whistler," 
the  fir.>t  part  of  November,  after  a  passage  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty-one  dnys.  Takinz  uji  Ids  residence  in  San 
Francisco,  as  a  lawyer,  he  soon  became  identified  with  the 
interests  of  that  city.  Belor.udnir  to  the  renowned  Vis- 
ilance  Committee,"  he  was  elected,  principally  through  the 
suffrages  of  that  organi/al ion,  as  a  member  of  the  Legis- 
lative Assembly  from  San  I  rancisco,  in  18.37,  v.-hich  place 
he  held  for  one  year.  In  the  following  year,  he  was  elected 
by  the  -'Peoples'  pjrtv,"  J-id-c  of  San  Francisco  County, 
and  took  his  seat  wyon  tlie  bcncli,  April  .3,  18.38,  at  a 
salary  of  80000  per  annum.  Judiie  Blake  is  possessed  of 
latent  talents,  Avhich,  whrn  brought  into  exercise  by  op- 
position, reveal  tlien^i  l vcs  to  bo  of  no  inferior  order. 
While  a  resident  of  tiiis  tou u,  he  maintaiiK-d  the  reputa- 
tion, which  has  since  followed  him,  of  being  a  man  of  iin- 


I 


BIOGRAPHICVL  SKETCHES.  239 

disputed  integrity  of  character.  As  yet,  he  has  never 
entered  the     state  matrimonial." 

There  are  other  gentlemen  \\-hose  prominence,  as  citizens, 
sui^'^csts  a  continuation  of  these  biographical  delineations, 
but  shoLdd  we  proceed  further,  "^ve  fear  our  eventual  line  of 
distinction  could  not  be  made  without  engendering  in  some 
minds  a  feeling  akin  to  invidiousness,  more  than  we  may 
already  have  unconsciously  enkindled.  There  are  a  num- 
ber, undoubtedly,  whom  we  may  have  passed  over,  with- 
out design,  whose  conspicuousness,  as  citizens,  would  en- 
title them  to  the  same  regard  we  have  shown  to  some  of 
Iheir  contemporaries.  Such,  and  all  other  deficiencies  ob- 
servable, we  submit  to  the  charitableness  of  the  disccrncr^ 


20* 


^46 


-A.  "VIS 

O  F 

CAMDEN  AS  IT  IS.-1S59. 


Remarks  —  The  five  villages  of  Camden  —  The  Mountains  —  lAx. 
Battie —  Mt.  Meguntieook  —  Btilcl  Mountain  —  Ra^'iocl  Mountain  — 
Coarit  Survey  Station  —  Mt.  Pleasant  —  Other  elevations  —  Descrip- 
tion of  Ml  Battie  and  Mt.  Meguntieook  —  ^'le\vs  from  their 
summits  —  Ball  Hock  —  Ponds  —  Wawcnock  Cave  —  Industrial 
resources  —  The  Lime  Manuflicturins;  Interest  —  Water  pvivilefjes 
—  Account  of  ail  the  Water  Power  Establishments  upon  Mecrujiti- 
cook  Stream  —  Spring  Brook,  Harrington's  Brook,  Gootie  Kivor 
Stream,  Oyster  Kiver  Stream,  and  the  mills,  &;c.,  upon  the  same  — 
Ice  Business -r-  r^hip-buikiing  —  Navigation  Statistics  —  Ihe  Jr'isii- 
ing  Interest  —  Agricultur^j  —  S  ;!.ool  Airuir.s  —  Literary  Societies  — 
Growth  of  the  town  —  Concluding  Ilemarks. 


IX  taking  a  view  of  Camden  as  it  is,  we  shall  first 
surv-ey  it  topographically,  and  afterwards  jglance  at 
the  various  mamifacturinf,'  industries,  antl  other  inter- 
ests of  the  town,  as  cornpreln'ndL-d  in  it-^  increase  .<;iJ 
growth.  The  five  villages  in  tov\n,  in  the  order  of  size, 
are  Camden,  Rockport,  Rockvilio,  Wcst-Carndcn  and  .^hn- 
onton  s  Corner,  all  of  which  have  a  po-^t-offi-ce,  except  the 
last  mentioned.  The  tln^ee  latter  viliugvi  ir^.  ^iia  ite.l 
inland,  while  the  first  two  are  on  the  scaboar'i,  an't  pos-es-s 
a  harbor  each.  R<.)ckport  harbor  is  U:l  bctier  of  the  two, 
and  is  one  of  the  mo^t  secui'e  and  advantacreous  havens 
in  the  State. 


CAMDEN  AS  IT  IS.  2  1 1 

In  regard  to  scenery,  the  aspect  of  Camden,  rcposin^r  at 
the  base  of  Mt.  Battle,  is  of  an  in>;piring,  yet  pleasing 
character ;  Kockport,  rugQ:ed  and  romantic,  presents  with 
its  beautiful  harbor,  a  picture  diffi.cidt  to  be  excelled  in 
attractiveness;  Rockvilie,  pleasantly  situated  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  lakelet  01  Chickawakie,  presents  a  scene 
which  is  calm  and  lovely :  West- Camden,  with  its  moun- 
tainous surroundins::s,  is  possessed  of  a  fine  diversity  of 
rural  views  ;  the  village  at  Simonton's  comer,  with  its  less 
remarkable  features,  derives  its  share  of  attention  from  the 
position  it  occupies  in  a  most  picturesque  section  of  the 
town. 

The  first  objects  of  attraction  in  approaching  this  locality, 
by  land  or  water,  are  our  mountains,  which  have  served  as 
landmarks  to  the  mariner,  from  the  days  of  Martin  Pring, 
to  the  present  time. 

Of  tiie  elevations  thus  designated,  there  are  four  em- 
braced within  the  limits  of  the  town,  besides  several  emi- 
nences only  deserving  the  appellation  of  hills.  The  near- 
est of  these  heights  to  the  Harbor  village  is  Mount  Battie, 
(as  it  is  modernly  spelled,)  which  is  three-fourths  of  a  m.iie 
north  from  the  post-office,  or  loAver  bridge.  Its  altitude, 
as  determined  by  a  zenith  telescope  measurement,  made  by 
the  V.  S.  coast  surveyors,  is  nearly  1000  feet  above  tlie 
sea  level,  which  is  over  325  feet  less  than  calculated  by 
Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  by  a  barometrical  observation.  ]Mt. 
Mtgunticook,  situated  north  of,  and  adjoining.  Mt.  Battie, 
ri.>es  to  the  height  of  12<3o  feet,  according  to  the  above 
f>st-mentionecl  authority,  v/hicb  is  192  feet  less  than  made 
by  the  latter  named  calculator. 

Bald  Mountcun,  so  called  from  the  baldness  of  its  top,  is 
of  another  range,  and  is  three  and  a  half  miirs  north-west 
from  tne  post-otiice.  Its  altitude,  according  to  the  U.  S. 
barveyors,  is  1  UO  foot. 

Tvlt.  Ho>mer,  (thus  named  after  an  early  resident,  who 
dwelt  near  its  base,)  or  Kngged  Mountain,  us  it  is  now 


242  A  VIEW  OF 

■    .  .  ■  i/ 

aptly  called,  is  three  and  a  half  miles  west  from  the  post- 
office.  This  irrep^iilar  shaped  mountain  has  two  principal 
eminences,  the  higher  of  which,  according  to  our  last 
mentioned  authority,  is  1230  feet.  Upon  the  loftier  eleva- 
tion. Prof.  A.  D.  Bachc  established  the  U.  S.  coast  survey 
station,  in  1S54,  for  astronomical  and  magnetic  observa- 
tions, as  connected  with  the  surveys  now  being  prosecuted 
by  Government.  Mount  Pleasant  belongs  to  this  group, 
and  lies  partly  in  this  town.  Warren  and  Union.  Besides 
these,  there  are  several  inferior  sized  heights,  such  as 
Spruce  Mountain,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town ;  Bear 
Mountain  and  Beach  Hill,  in  the  south-east  section  of  the 
tOMTi.  ]Medambattee,  or  Burnt  Land,  is  the  name  of  a 
rising  piece  of  ground,  situated  between  "West-Camden, 
E-ock^  ule  and  Ilockland. 

Of  the  mountains  we  have  mentioned.  Mount  Battle  is 
the  offcenest  ascended  by  excursionists.  Its  southern  ascent 
is  somewhat  difficult  from  its  precipitousness,  but,  by  tak- 
ing the  "  path"'  which  rommenccs  near  the  "  Devil's  track," 
it  is  made  comparatively  easy.  The  north-western  declivi- 
ty is  very  facile  to  ascend.  At  this  place  a  road  was  made 
through  the  woods,  during  the  "  last  war,"  for  the  purpose 
of  conveying  the  pieces  of  ordnance  to  the  summit,  as 
before  stated.  At  different  times,  since  then,  the  passage 
has  been  cleared  for  the  accommodation  of  those  who 
prefer  reaching  the  top  with  a  horse  and  carriage.  The 
charming  avenue  of  trees  through  which  we  have  to  pass 
in  taking  the  road,"  is  greatly  admired  by  every  lover  of 
the  picturesque.  In  anticipating  a  ramble  through  "  the 
Avenue,"  we  realize  the  inspiration  of  the  bard,  in  his 
strain,  as  he  says,  — 

»<  We'll  walk  throu^rh  the  grove  nt  the  top  of  the  hill, 
V/here  the  hemlock,  tho  pine  nrul  the  oak  love  to  ,£?row, 

And  the  uir  is  so  5\vert,  a-  we  w-;!::*,-.r  at  will, 
That  the  pulse  and  the  hc;ixt  with  more  gratitiido  flow." 

The  approach  from  this  quarter  lias  the  advantage,  also, 


CAMDEX  AS  IT  IS. 


213 


of  having  the  prospect  concealed  from  \icvr  by  the  woods, 
until  the  summit  is  attained,  when  it  suddenly  breaks  on 
the  astonished  ^nze  in  all  its  magnificence. 

Geologically  speaking;,  this,  and  the  adjoining  mountain, 
consist,  according  to  Dr.  Jackson,  entirely  of  a  grey  variety 
of  mica  slate,  forming  consolidated  strata,  which  incline  to 
the  horizon  at  an  angle  of  seventy  degrees.  On  the  top  of 
Mt.  Battle,  are  two  conical  piles  of  stones,  thus  accumu- 
lated by  persons  depositing  a  stone  thereon,  whenever  they 
make  the  ascent,  which  has  gained  for  them  the  name  of 
the  Ramblers'  Memorials."  To  the  westward  of  these 
monuments,  in  the  midst  of  a  thicket  of  vroods,  is  a  spring 
called  the  Bear's  well,"  where,  at  any  season  of  the  year, 
one  can  slake  his  thirst.  A  short  distance  south  of  the 
green  plat,  where,  in  war  times,  were  planted  the  cannons, 
is  a  steep,  do^vn  which  parties  of  pleasure  have  worn  a 
path  by  the  fi-equent  rolling  of  stones,  and  thus  titled  it  as 
the  KoUing  road."  Notwithstanding  the  view  is  gi-and 
from,  this  eminence,  yet,  it  is  more  surpassingly  so  from 
the  adjoining  elevation.  We  will  simply  enumerate  some 
of  the  principal  bearings  taken  from  Mt.  Battle,  with  a 
po'  kt-t  compass,  and  then  pass  to  her  loftier  neighbor  for  a 
bird's-eye-view.  Rockland  bears  S.  by  E. ;  Camden,  S.  E. 
by  S. ;  Rockport,  8.  S.  E. ;  Owl's  Head,  S.  E.  by  S.  ;  Fox 
Island  light,  E.  S.  E.  ;  Isle  au  Haute,  E.  by  S. ;  Manhegan 
Island,  S.  ;  Mt.  Desert,  E.  ;  ^latinicus  Island,  S.  E.  ^-  S. 

In  ascending  Mt.  Megunticook,  we  pause  at  an  escarp- 
ment near  the  top  on  the  southern  side,  called  the  Jump- 
ing-otf- place,"'  from  which  tall  trees  on  the  ridge  below 
have  the  appearance  of  mere  saplings.  This  rocky  clitf 
rises  perpendicularly  to  about  the  height  of  three  humked 
feet.  From  this  stand-point,  Mt.  Battle  has  a  very  dlmin- 
utiv'-  aprvc-arancL-,  and  more  resenihlos  a  hiUock.  th.an  it 
dov^  a  muuutain.  Forring  our  way  througti  a  lar<>:o  and 
sm.-ll  LTowth  of  spruce,  hemlock  and  pine,  we  arc  enabled 
to  attain  the  object  of  our  toilsome  journey,  by  reaching 


/ 


\ 


244 


A  VIEW  OF 


the  crest.  Although,  our  range  of  vision  is  somewhat  ob- 
structed by  the  forest  trees  crowning  the  apex,  yet  we  are 
enabled,  from  different  positions,  to  behold  one  of  the  mos^- 
beautiful  panoramas  conceivable.  In  a  practical  manner 
we  here  appreciate  the  finely  conceived  lines  of  Bryant : 

<'Thou  shalt  look 
TJpon  the  green  and  rolling  forest  tops, 
And  down  into  the  secrets  of  the  glens. 
And  streams,  that,  -vsith  their  bordering  thickets  strive 
To  hide  their  windings.    Thou  sh;ilt  gaze  at  once, 
Here  on  white  villages  and  tilth  and  herds, 
And  swaxining  roads,  and  there  on  solitudes 
That  only  hear  the  torrent,  and  the  wind, 
And.  eagle's  shriek." 

The  eye  here  takes  in  a  view  of  the  bay,  with  its  islands, 
answering  in  number  to  the  days  in  a  year,  out  to  a  wide 
expanse  of  waters,  where  the  ocean  blends  with  the  horizon. 
In  another  direction,  is  seen  a  vast  extent  of  country, 
bordered  by  distant  mountains,  xls  we  experience,  in  gaz- 
ing at  those  far  off  elevations,  feelings  akin  to  facination, 
we  are  inclined  to  question  and  respond  with  Campbell : 

'•"WTiy  to  yon  mountains  turns  the  musincr  eye ; 
"WTiose  cloud  capped  summits  mingle  with  the  sky  ? 
Why  do  yon  cliffs  of  shadowy  tint  appear  , 
More  sweet  than  all  the  landscape  shining  near  ? 
'Tis  distance,  lends  enchantment  to  the  ^new, 
And  robes  the  mountain  with  its  azure  hue." 

Among  the  most  marked  elevations  here  descried,  are 
Mt.  Desert,  Mt.  Katahdn,  (120  miles  north,)  Mts.  Blue, 
Bigelow,  and  the  White  Hills  of  New  Hampshire.  The 
highlands  interjacent,  although  worthy  of  being  specified, 
are  too  numerous  to  mention.  Adding  a  pleasing  diversity 
to  the  view,  are  v:iriMUs  i)oautiful  villa^os,  .>nd  many  mirror- 
ing sheets  of  wat.:r.  deposing  below  us;  rilled  with  its 
miniature  islands,  and  peninsulas,  is  Cajiaan's  charmiu':? 
lakelet,  with  its  sinuous  stream.    From  a  bold  spur  of  the 


I 


'i 

'i     ■  1 


CAMDEN  AS  IT  IS. 


245 


moimtain  near  the  line  that  divides  this  town  from  Lin- 
coinville,  we  view  to  advantage  the  subjacent  turnpike. 
From  the  diminutive  size  of  persons,  as  seen  from  this 
giddy  heiijht,  traveling  this  celebrated  thoroughfare,  we 
shoidd  judge  them  to  be  liaif  a  mile  distant. 

Detached  from  the  Megunticook  range,  although  be- 
longing to  the  same  group,  is  Ball  Rock,  in  Lincolnville, 
which,  it  is  estimated,  rises  to  about  the  altitude  of  1050 
feet.  Other  elevations  in  the  towns  adjoining,  add  much 
to  the  beautiful  and  romantic  aspect  of  this  vicinity. 

The  number  of  ponds  in  town,  which  give  a  fine  diversity 
to  the  scenery,  are  ten,  the  names  of  which,  and  the  area 
in  acres,  we  find  on  Osborn  s  map  of  Camden,  to  be  as 
follows:  —  Canaan  pond,  500  acres;  Hosmer's  pond,  65; 
Lilly  pond,  65  ;  Grassy  or  Bowley's  pond,  200  ;  Oyster 
River  pond,  150;  Rocky  pond,  20;  ^Mace's  pond,  60; 
Tolman's  pond,  65  ;  Chickawakie  pond,  210,  and  a  small 
pond  of  about  1 4  acres  at  Ingraham's  corner,  Grassy 
pond,  surrounded  b\  mountains,  is  next  to  Canaan's  lakelet 
in  the  remarkable  beauty  of  its  appearance.  From  the 
greater  part  of  these  sheets  of  water,  issue  streams  which 
diive  quit-e  a  number  of  mills,  as  we  shall  shortly  notice. 

Among  the  natural  curiosities  of  the  town  the  most 
worthy  of  mention,  is  Wawenock  Cave,  situated  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  to  the  westward  of  the  town-house,  in 
the  Annis  pasture.  In  the  tim.e  of  the  early  settlers,  it  was 
known  as  the  "  Bear's  Den,"  and  was  frequented  by  sheep, 
which  sought  shelter  in  it  from  the  storms.  In  the  month 
of  September,  185 7,  in  company  with  a  friend,  we  deter- 
mined to  examine  the  cave.  Forcing  our  way  into  the 
eiitnince,  which  was  about  eighteen  inches  in  diameter,  w^e 
found  ourselves  in  a  vaulted  cell  of  four  feet  in  heiL'-ht, 
t-.v..:aty-two  in  leni2:th,  and  sixteen  in  breadth.  Finding 
■--vcrai  pas:<a;ies  tilled  with  alluvial  dirt,  and  ftTtdizing  mat- 
ter, we  attempted  the  task  of  excavating  them,  for  which 
we  came  prepared  with  lights  and  the  necessary  implements. 


246 


A  yiE\v  OP 


In  the  easterly  end,  wc  penetrated  two  pas^aj^es  al)Out  ten 
feet,  and  afl;er\Yard  essayed  others.  In  none  of  them  did 
vre  reach  the  terminus.  Delving  with  our  shoA'els,  and 
soundin;^  with  cur  bar  in  the  central  part  of  the  cave,  we 
found  the  accumulation  of  dirt,  and  animal  deposit,  to  be 
some  three  or  four  feet  deep.  Relieved  of  twenty  cart 
loads  of  this  earthy  matter,  the  dimensions  of  the  cave 
would  appear  quite  spacious.  Indications  seem  to  estab- 
lish the  inference,  that  in  Indian  times,  this  subterranean 
place  was  used,  perhaps,  as  a  place  of  habitation,  or  re- 
treat from  a -foe.-  -^ha  evidence  of  this  assumption,  rests 
on  the  fact,  that  not  only  the  principal  chamber,  but  every 
passage  we  penetrated,  was  dinged  with  smoke,  the  origin 
of  which,  is  traced  by  the  brands  we  unearthed  in  one  of 
the  ea^^terly  recesses,  where  appears  to  have  been  the  fire- 
place. Another  strong  proof  of  the  cave  having  been 
frequented  by  the  red  man,  is  that  of  a  flint  spear  head 
having  been  dug  up,  as  the  result  of  a  subsequent  explora- 
tion. To  the  excurtionist,  Wawenock  Cave  can  but  be- 
come a  place  of  resort,  especially  wlien  it  shall  have  been 
made  more  easily  accessible  than  at  present. 

There  are  other  places  of  interest,  which,  from  their 
being  so  generally  known,  we  will  here  omit  and  pass  on 
to  the  industrial  resources  of  the  town. 

Of  the  different  kinds  of  business  done  here,  that  of  the 
manr.facture  of  lime,  first  commands  attention.  Camden 
may  be  said  to  be  rich  in  its  limestone  resources.  The 
quality  of  this  mineral  is  acknowledged  to  be,  on  the  a^er- 
age,  as  good  as  any  in  the  State.  The  number  of  quarries 
in  town,  that  are  now  worked,  amount  to  fifteen,  of  which, 
five  are  at  Cam^den,  five  at  Rockport,  three  at  Simonton's 
comer,  and  two  at  West-Camden. 

By  an  im]>rovcment  in  the  construction  of  linv  kilns, 
invented  in  18o4,  the  old  fa>hioned  kind  are  lt  iduallv  be- 
ing-superseded.  At  the  pres-nt  time,  (Feb.  18-3'J.)  there 
are  twenty  of  the  old  kilns  and  five  of  the  patent  kind  in 


t 


CAMDEN  AS  IT  IS. 


247 


use  in  the  town.  All  of  the  latter  are  in  Kockport.  The 
improvement  consists  of  an  immence  hopper,  to  receive 
the  raw  material,  and,  by  its  very  shape,  to  give  the  lime- 
s:one  room  to  push  up  when  it  expands,  and,  also,  by  5-0 
constructing  arched  furnaces,  a^  to  apply  the  intensest  cf 
wood  heat  to  the  stone,  and,  at  the  same  time,  allow  the 
ashes  to  take  one  direction  and  the  lime,  as  it  is  formed,  to 
take  another.  "  The  saving  of  wood  and  time  is  immense. 
The  old  kiln  requires  seven  cords  of  wood  to  turn  ouc  100 
casks  of  lime,  Avhile  the  new  will  produce  the  same  num- 
ber with  four  cords.  In  the  old  style  of  furnace,  there  must 
be  nearly  eight  days  for  the  production  of  600  casks,  while 
the  new  one  will  furnish  the  same  quantity  in  six  days. 
The  old  fashioned  kiln  not  only  consumes  more  wood  and 
time  in  burning,  but  stands  idle  while  cooling,  and  during 
the  discharging  of  its  lime.  The  new  kiln  burns  for  three 
months  without  any  necessity  for  extinguishing  or  renewing 
of  the  fires,  which  at  that  time  are  put  out  in  order  to  arrange 
the  furnace.  By  the  improved  method,  lime  is  nfanufac- 
tured  ten  cents  per  cask,  cheaper,  than  by  the  old  mode. 

The  patent  kilns,  in  E-ockport,  turn  out  on  the  average, 
one  hundred  casks  of  lime  per  day ;  all  the  others  in  the 
same  village,  fifty,  making  the  whole  number  four  hundred 
and  fifty.  Including  the  number  of  casks  marketed  from 
the  westerly  part  of  the  town,  there  are  annually  shipped 
from  Rockport,  150,500  casks  of  lime.  At  Camden  har- 
bor, the  number  of  casks  manufactured  are  estimated  at 
twelve  thousand.  Reckoning  the  amount  brought  here  for 
shipment,  from  the  adjoining  towns,  and  it  may  be  said  in 
round  numbers,  that  there  are  shipped  annually  from  this 
to^Hy  175,000  casks,  which,  at  a  medium  price  of  betv.een 
fifry-five  and  sixty  cents  the  cask,  would  amount  to  over 
8100.000.  During  the  past  year,  lime  casks  have  been 
furnished  at  rifteeu  cents  each,  and  kiln  wood  at  ciie  rate 
of  82,50  per  cord.  The  highest  priced  lime,  which  ia 
made  from  the  hardest  stone,  and  makes  the  most  beautiful 
21 


248 


A  YIEW  OF 


vrliite  finisli,  is  called  "  lump  lime,"  and  generally  com- 
inand.s  the  best  market  in  Xew  York,  where  it  is  used  for 
costly  edifices.  Tlie  darker  quality,  which  is  considered  as 
the  strongest,  is  used  in  most  of  our  Government  foitresses. 
We  are  hcvo  rc;innucd  of  the  fact,  that  in  1B17,  Capt. 
John  Welch  carried  in  his  vessel,  tliree  hundred  casks  of 
Camden  lime  to  Washington,  which  were  used  in  building 
the  capitol.  Upon  this  incident,  aside  from  the  well  known 
fact,  it  may  be  said  that  Camden  lime  possesses  a  national 
reputation,  which  is  all  that  need  be  said  in  commendation 
of  it. 

The  manufacnaring  advantages  of  Camden,  as  connected 
with  its  numerous  mill  privileges,  arc  not  often  surpassed. 
The  streams  issuing  from  our  largest  ponds  have  been 
made  available  in  facilitating  manual  labor,  by  the  erection 
of  such  establishments,  as  require  water  power  for  the 
propulsion  of  machinery. 

The  most  valuable  vv-ater  privileges  in  town,  are  found 
upon  jt^gimticook  stream,  which  issues  fi-om  Canaan  pond. 
On  either  side  of  the  island  at  the  foot  of  the  pond,  which 
transiently  divides  the  stream  at  its  head,  is  a  sa^v  and 
grist-mill,  commonly  called  "  Molineaux's  mills,"  that  gen- 
tleman there  having  first  erected  such.  Next  below,  is 
Messrs.  Bisbee,  Marble  &:  Co.'s  powder-mill,  which  was 
built  about  the  year  1846,  by  Swett  &  Davis  of  Buckficld. 
At  present,  there  are  sixteen  buildings  on  the  prcmibc>, 
connected  v/ith  the  business.  The  average  num^ber  of  kegs 
of  powder  amiually  m.ade,  amounts  to  oUOO,  which  require 
in  tlie'r  composition,  50  tons  of  saltpetre,  17,500  pounds 
cf  brim-tone,  and  GO  cords  of  alder-wood.  The  prccari- 
oii-ii'js.-,  of  this  badness,  so  far  as  relates  to  casualties,  is 
well  understood.  Up  to  the  present  time,  there  have  been 
n"i!C  exj'ylosii.'ns,  some  of  v/hicli  liave  proved  f '.tiil  to  human 
III;:.  due  ia^t  accident  of  the  kin<l  occurred  iii  io5J. 
The  number  of  liand.s  einphrred  at  (ruieront  season^  of  the 
y..-ar,  range  from  two  to  f  "ir. 


CAMDEN  AS  IT  IS.  249 

The  next  manuftictory,  is  Amasa  Gould's  plug  and  wedge 
mill.  In  18-55,  David  Knowlton,  an  ingenious  macliinist, 
of  this  town,  constructed  for  this  mill  a  machine  which 
would  make  l-5,00()  plugs  per  day.  Tliis  busLn':ss  heinq; 
dependent  on  ship-buildhig,  is  not  at  all  comparable  to 
what  it  was  five  years  ago.  In  1854,  the  number  of  plugs 
and  wedges  turned  out  by  ^Ir.  G.,  amtounted  to  1,050,000. 
The  market  f:^r  these,  extends  from  Eastport  to  New 
Orleans. 

Further  dov^m  the  stream,  is  the  block  factory  of  Horatio 
Alden  &:  Co.  There  is,  in  this  establishment,  a  machino 
f.ir  manufacturing  dead-eyes,  vrluch  is  worthy  of  mention. 
It  is  mostly  the  invention  of  1).  Knowlton.  This  machirse 
is  of  such  construction  as  to  take  a  lignumvitee  log  and  cut 
it  into  blocks  of  the  right  dbmensions  for  any  size  of  dead- 
eyes,  center  and  drill  the  centers,  turn,  strap  gouge,  bore 
and  lanyard  gonge  on  both  sides.  This  labor-saving  inven- 
tion was  constructed  by  'Mr.  Knowlton  in  IS 5 1,  and  is  one 
of  the  best  of  the  kind  in  use.  The  amount  of  business 
done  at  this  establishment  averages,  annually,  820,000. 
In  the  building  adjoining,  is  the  machine  shop  of  D. 
Knowlton  Co.  The  principal  part  of  the  various  kinds 
of  machinery  used  in  this  concern  v/as  made  by  the  lead- 
ing partner  of  the  firm.  The  mcntionable  machines  em- 
ployed here,  arc  four  engine  lathes ;  an  eight  feet  iron 
plainer;  an  upri.Lrht  drill,  and  tvro  drill  lathes.  Amoni: 
the  articles  sent  forth  to  an  extensive  market,  by  this  cn- 
terpri'^incr  company,  are  patent  power  capstans,  (for  v.'hieh 
Mr.  K.  has  fih.-d  a  caveat,)  portable  rargo  winces,  ship's 
steering  wheels,  fire  engine,  or  ship  head  pumps,  6cc.  The 
reputation  of  tliis  shop  is  becoming  widely  and  favorably 
kn^rvn,  and  ha<  en-^ouraged  the  public  to  believe  that  there 
. i-i  no  n(:ce--ifv  of  .-/uulir/j^  beyond  tlp.s  State,  to  procure 
sucli  articles  as  tiio\  iiavc  the  faciucu:s  lor  producing. 
Annually,  815,000  worth  of  business  is  done  here. 

Next  below,  is  the  oakum  factory  of  Horatio  Aldcn. 


250 


A  VIEW  OF 


The  original  buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire  in  1845.  The 
machinery  now  in  operation,  was  constructed  by  Mr.  Knowl- 
ton,  in  1S54,  at  a  cost  of  -^UoOO.  It  consists  of  a  wet 
and  dry  breaker,  and  tinisher,  and  can  pick  and  bale  2000 
pounds  of  oakum  per  day.  In  this  machinery,  are  a  num- 
ber of  improvements  made  by  Mr.  Knowlton,  among  which, 
is  that  of  preventing  the  oakum  from  winding  round  the 
shares,  wliich,  thereby  saves  a  great  amount  of  labor,  and 
prevents  friction,  and  consequently,  liabilities  of  fire.  The 
number  of  bales  manufactured  here,  yearly,  is  about  2,400, 
equal  to  60  tons. 

A  few  rods  further  do\vn  the  stream,  is  the  saw  and  grist- 
mill, owned  by  the  heirs  of  the  late  James  Richards.  Ad- 
joining this  mill,  is  the  sash  and  blind  factory  of  Perry  & 
"Wood.  \Ye  are  unable  to  give  any  statistics  relating  to 
this  enterprising  concern,  but  can  speak  in  terms  of  com- 
mendation of  tlio  execution  of  the  various  kinds  of  work 
done  here,  which  is  perform.ed  by  planing,  sawing,  mor- 
tising, and  other  machines.  In  appreciation  of  the  estima- 
tion in  which  the  work  done  at  this  factory  is  held  by  com- 
petent judges,  is  the  fact  that  the  firm  were  awarded  the 
first  premium,  and  a  diploma,  at  the  State  Fair,  hold  at 
Bangor,  in  18J7.  This  mill  privilege,  as  also  the  one  be- 
low, belongs  to  the  estate  of  Jas.  Richards.  The  latter 
mentioned  privilege  is  occupied  by  Bezealor  Knight,  in  his 
wheeh\Tight  shop,  and  by  the  •*  Camden  Iron  Foundry," 
in  the  same  and  adjoining  building.  The  foundry  is  owned 
by  stockholders,  consisting  of  Henry  Knight,  D.  Knowlton, 
and  others.  They  have  the  facilities  here  for  furnishing 
castings  of  the  various  patterns  required  at  the  hands  of  a 
founder. 

At  the  next  dam  below,  is  the  bakery  of  the  late  Edward 
Bradbury,  now  carried  on  by  Horton  Alden.  The  prm- 
cipal  labor  of  the  bakery,  as  may  be  supposed,  is  done  by 
machinery.  In  1858,  the  average  number  of  barrels  of 
flour  made  into  crackers,  ship,  and  ginger  bread,  was  three 


CAMDEN  AS  IT  IS. 


251 


per  day.  Many  of  the  siirroimdmg  towns  are  supplied 
"vvith  the  "  staff  of  life"  by  the  "  Camden  bread"  carnage, 
which  has  given  the  bakery  a  favorable  reputation  in  this 
section  of  the  State. 

The  next  below,  is  the  tannery  of  Tliorndike,  Scott  <Sz 
Co.  Tiiis  was  established  by  Moses  Parker,  about  the 
year  1S13.  After  his  death,  it  was  purchased  by  the  late 
Samuel  Emerson,  and  after  the  demise  of  the  latter,  it  was 
sold  to  the  present  proprietors.  The  machinery  here  used, 
is  driven  by  water  conducted  through  a  canal  leading  from 
the  basin  of  the  grist  and  saAv-miil  dam  above.  This  water 
povv-er  drives  the  bark-miil,  rolling,  and  fullinti--milis.  Un- 
der shelter,  there  are  twenty-eight  double  vats,  and  out 
doors  there  are  twenty-six ;  also  there  are  two  water,  and 
three  lime  pits.  The  number  of  sides  tanned  in  1858,  was 
2000;  number  of  calf  skins,  1000;  dry  hides,  500,  and 
wool  skins,  1000.  They  finish  tliree-fourths  of  all  the 
stock  they  tan,  into  wax  leather,  grain,  and  harness  leather, 
and  shavings  or  splits.  These  are  all  tanned  in  cold  liquor. 
At  present,  four  hands  are  employed,  two  of  which  attend 
to  the  .currier  business,  and  the  rest  to  the  other  depart- 
ments. They  have  adopted  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  im- 
proved methods  of  tanning.  The  stock  prepared  at  this 
establishment,  finds  a  market  throughout  New  England. 

Xext  is  the  "Megunticook  grist-mUl,"  situated  at  the 
foot  of  the  stream,  and  on  the  main  street  of  the  village. 
This  mill  is  leased  by  Capt.  Elijah  Glover,  to  Nathan 
Pierce.  The  number  of  bushels  of  grain  ground  during 
the  year  ending  Feb.  1859,  is  35,000.  During  the  same 
period,  Mr.  Pierce  has  sold  at  the  mill,  25,000  bushels  of 
com.  There  are  in  operation  here,  three  running  stones, 
a  cleanser  and  bolt,  vvhicli  are  uapelled  by  a  head  and  fall 
of  water  of  thirteen  feet. 

The  woolen  factory  of  C\tus  G.  Akien,  is  the  last  upon 
the  stream,  and  is  the  only  brick  building  among  the  num.- 
ber  we  have  mentioned.    The  flow  of  water  which  is  led 


252 


A  VIEW  OF 


into  the  factory  by  a  flume,  is  dependent  upon  the  dam 
above.  The  factory  has  one  sett  of  machinery,  and  runs 
three  hundred  spindles.  There  are  here  manufactured 
Yearly,  upon  the  average,  3G,-500  yards  of  different  kinds 
of  woolen  fabrics,  such  as  cassimeres,  satinets,  and  lian- 
nels.  and  15,650  pounds  of  yarn.  During  the  year  1858, 
tiie  custom  carding  done  here,  amounted  to  -$1000.  The 
number  of  hinds  employed  the  past  year,  of  both  sexes, 
has  been  fourteen.  The  factory  being  contiguous  to  the 
water,  vessels  can  readily  lay  alongside  to  lade  or  unlade, 
which  thus  saves  much  labor  and  expense. 

Having  thus  noticed  all  the  mill  privileges  now  occupied 
on  ^legunticook  stream,  which  embraces  but  a  small  por- 
tion of  the  available  water  power,  which  future  enterprise 
may  make  subservient  to  labor,  we  will  glance  at  similar 
facilities  in  other  parts  of  the  town. 

On  Spring  Brook  stream,  there  is  a  stave  and  shingle 
mill,  owned  and  rim  by  Augustus  Thomas.  The  shingle 
and  heading  machine  here  used,  was  made  by  D.  Knowiton. 

From  a  brook  running  from  Harrington's  meadow,  is 
driven  a  stave  and  shingle  mill,  owned  by  Melvin  and 
Hodgman. 

On  Goose  River  stream,  there  is  one  grist,  and  one  saw- 
mill, and  two  stave-mills. 

The  furniture  factory  of  Edward  &:  Miles  Leach,  at  West- 
Camden,  on  Oyster  IMver  stream,  is  an  establishment 
worthy  of  special  mention.  Connected  with  the  concern, 
is  also  a  grist-mill,  sta^■e  and  siiingle  machine.  The  grist- 
mill has  a  new  patent  grinding  apparatus,  which  is  (juite 
an  improvement  on  the  one  it  supplants.  Tiie  furniture 
manufactured  at  the  factory,  consists  principally  of  bed- 
steads, for  which  a  market  is  usually  readily  found,  gen- 
erally in  this  State.  The  ^lessrs.  Leach  arc  younc,'  men  of 
enterprise,  and  have  tii-vj^y  made  their  uncitr talcing  one 
of  success. 

In  the  same  section  of  the  town,  driven  by  the  above 


I 
I 


CAMDEN  AS  IT  IS. 


253 


stream,  is  a  saw  and  g:rist-mill,  belonging  to  tlie  estate  of 
Ilandaii  Tolman,  which  does  quite  a  business.  On  the 
sanie  stream,  John  Ingrahani  has  a  stave  and  shingle  mill. 
At  Rockvilie,  is  the  tannery  of  Otis  "Wade.  In  the  tan- 
nery building,  S.  Barrows  has  a  stave  and  shingle  mill,  and 
Benjamin  Barrows,  also  carries  on  the  sash  and  blind  busi- 
ness.   At  present  they  are  not  in  operation  here. 

Besides  the  mills  we  have  mentioned,  there  are  others 
which  we  have  not  noticed,  for  lack  of  the  requisite  inform- 
ation, but  it  will  be  found  that  the  most  note-worthy  have 
been  alluded  to. 

Of  late  years,  our  citizens,  those  of  Rockport,  have  de- 
voted practical  attention  to  the  ice  business,  so  that  now  it 
has  become  the  source  of  considerable  enterprise.  Tiie 
only  establishment  of  the  kind,  in  town,  is  the  one  at  Rock- 
port.  The  business  was  commenced  in  184-1,  by  Pitts  »i; 
Hobbs,  of  2vlassachusetts,  who  ceased  operations  in  1847, 
when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Carleton  ^i:  Gould,  In 
18-58.  a  new  partnership,  as  now  known,  under  the  title  of 
Carleton,  Rust  6z  Co.,  was  formed.  The  place  of  opera- 
rion  is  Lilly  pond,  v,  here  the  most  improved  appliances  are 
brought  into  requisition  during  the  favorable  winter  months, 
tor  the  facilitation  of  the  business.  Besides  the  large  stor- 
age building  on  the  wharf,  owned  by  the  company,  another 
quite  as  large,  has  been  erected  during  the  past  year  near  the 
margin  of  the  pond.  Tlie  forty  men  employed  this  season, 
18o8-59,  will  cut  25.000  tons  of  ice,  which  corresponds 
with  the  quantity  reported  the  preceding  season.  Ready 
for  shipment,  this  will  amount,  at  81,2-5  the  ton,  to  !$•')!, 2-30. 
This  article,  which  is  so  indispensable  in  a  sultry  climate, 
is  shipped  by  the  cargo,  to  the  Southern  States,  where  the 
demand  secures  for  it  a  ready  market. 

Xcxt  demanding  attention,  are  the  navigation  interests 
of  the  town.    Previous  to  1850,  as  we  have  before  inti- 
mated, Camden  was  noted  as  a  sliip-building  place,  but 
since  ':''"'.'t  time,  the  comm.ercial  depression,  (from  which, 
% 


254  A  VIEW  OF  - 

particularly,  all  coast-bordered  towns  have  suffered,)  has 
completely  prostrated  that  extensive  branch  of  enterprise. 
It  may  be  said,  with  but  a  faint  exception,  that  during  the 
past  year,  IS -5 8,  silence  has  reigned  in  all  our  ship-yards. 
For  a  number  of  years  prior  to  1856,  Rockport  built  from 
1500  to  2000  tons  annually,  and  Camden  quite  as  many, 
and  hence  it  may  be  seen,  how  great  the  present  contrast, 
with  then,  We  have  been  informed  by  one  of  the  leading 
firms  in  Kockport,  that  the  ensuing  year  will  v/itncss,  in 
that  thriving  and  enterprising  village,  something  like  its 
wonted  activity.  It  is  anticipated  that  the  close  of  1850, 
will  make  true  the  assertion,  tha':  1600  tons  will  be  the 
number  built  there  during  the  year.  About  140  tons  will 
be  built  in  Camden  the  same  time. 

We  learn  from  the  tax  register,  that  there  are  now  owned 
in  the  town,  8634  tons  of  navigation,  out  of  21,817  tons 
which  hail  from  here,  contained  in  101  vessels.  The 
tonnage  owned  here,  at  825  the  ton,  would  amount  to 
8205,850. 

The  business  of  Camden,  as  connected  ^Hth  the  fishing 
interests,  is  not  the  least  important.  The  result  is  attribut- 
able to  the  fact  of  this  being  a  port  of  entry.  The  amount 
paid  out  at  the  Custom  House  here,  in  1845,  for  fishing 
bounty,  to  vessels  engaged  in  the  bank,  and  other  cod  fish- 
eries, was  814,121.  During  the  season  of  1857,  the 
amount  was  816,507.  There  were  fitted  out,  in  1858,  by 
S.  G.  Adams  Sons,  and  N.  B.  <Sc  J.  H.  Jones,  at  the 
Harbor,  one  hundred  sail  of  fishermen.  These  are  tiie 
only  firms  in  to\xn  engaged  in  the  outfit  business,  we  be- 
lieve, although  others  furnish  a  few  supplies.  Computing 
the  average  amount  of  business  done  in  Camden  village, 
at  8500  per  sail,  every  rhing  inchuled  with  t))G-  outfits,  and 
vy'c  have  for  the  one  hundred  craft,  850, 0(M!,  a>.  the  result. 

Of  the  agricultural  luierests  of  the  town,  we  can  only 
speak  in  general  terms.  The  westerly  part  of  the  tov/n  is 
the  best  farming  portion,  because  of  its  possessing  the 


CAiTDEX  AS  IT  IS. 


255 


most  productive  soil.  There  are  quite  a  number  of  farms 
here,  -which  will  bear  comparison  with  the  best  in  the  coun- 
ty. For  lack  of  the  requisite  information,  we  are  unable 
to  go  into  the  details  of  this  most  important  branch  of  in- 
dustry, which  is  well  worthy  of  being  presented  in  all  its 
departments. 

One  of  the  surest  indexes  of  the  intelligence  of  a  people, 
is  found  to  be  the  favor  with  which  they  regard  the  educa- 
tional affairs  of  the  youth.  Tliis  town  has  m.ade  liberal 
appropriations  for  the  benefit  of  its  schools,  yet  ^here  is 
room  for  improvement  in  its  application.  For  the  year  18 08, 
the  town  voted  82.500  for  schools,  while  it  received  from 
the  State.  8694,28,  making  a  total  of  -*^3,194,28.  This 
sum  is  divided  among  twenty  districts,  containing  1968 
scholars.  In  the  summer,  during  the  above  year,  twenty- 
four  female  teachers  were  employed,  and  two  male  teach- 
ers, but  in  the  winter,  there  were  twenty-two  male,  and 
two  female  teachers  employed.  In  the  Superintendent's 
Report,  for  18  57,  we  observe  that  we  are  represented  as 
possessing  eight  ''good  school-houses,"  and  twelve  "poor' 
ones.  We  are  informed  by  the  Supervisor,  Rev.  E.  Free- 
man, that  the  estimated  value  of  school  property  in  town, 
to-day,  (Feb.  10,  1859,}  is  811,850.  The  best  school- 
houses  in  tovm,  are  found  in  Districts  numbers  two,  four, 
and  nine,  which  cost,  respectively,  including  the  land, 
83000,  83500,  and  8500.  In  the  fall  of  1858,  measures 
were  taken  to  build  a  wooden  school-house,  in  District 
number  three,  at  the  Harbor  village,  which  ^vill  be  com- 
pleted in  1859,  at  a  total  probable  cost  of  85,000. 

Within  the  past  year,  the  propriety  of  adopting  the 
"grade  system,"  has  been  discussed  by  the  two  districts  at 
the  Harbor  village,  and  it  is  believed  that  they  wiU  unite 
as  soon  as  convenir-:ice  will  permit-  As  it  now  is.  District 
number  three,  with  its  appropriation  of  8580,  is  but  little 
more  than  able  to  employ  a  master  the  year  round,  while 
number  two,  with  its  8;337,  can  only  have  a  master  for  a 


i:': 

:!'  Iff) 


256 


A  VIEW  OF 


part  of  the  year.  By  uniting  the  two  districts,  a  male 
teacher  could  be  engaged,  together  with  several  female 
teachers,  and  thus  have  schools  the  year  round,  without 
any  being  debarred  the  privilege  of  attending  constantly, 
as  is  now  the  case  in  tlio  workings  of  the  present  imperfect 
system.  The  same  remarks  will  apply  to  Districts  num- 
bers four  and  eighteen,  in  Eockport,  where  the  appropria- 
tion of  8^33  in  the  former,  and  8258  in  the  latter,  are 
sufficient  to  accomplish  the  same  piu-pose.  Tlie  M'illing- 
ness  of  two  of  the  above  named  districts  to  ado2)t  the  grade 
system,  will,  undoubtedly,  bo  made  apparent,  when  the 
accommodations  now  belns"  provided,  shall  be  completed. 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  m.ention  the  fact,  in  connection  \v  itli 
the  educational  interests  of  the  town,  that  during  the  pres- 
ent season,  (1358  and  1859,)  young  men  of  intellectual 
inclinations,  have  established  a  lyceum  at  Rockport,  and 
Camden  villages.  These  literary  organizations  adopt  the 
same  form  of  exercises  of  the  club  which  was  in  success- 
ful operation  at  Camden,  in  the  season  of  1854-55,  (which 
should  have  been  mentioned  before,)  or,  for  example,  the 
same  as  has  been  noticed  under  date  of  1840.  Such  so- 
cieties, besides  being  a  source  of  improvement  to  those 
who  participate  in  them,  are  an  honor  to  the  community 
where  they  exist. 

In  concluding  these  sketches,  we  cannot  give  a  better 
idea  of  the  growth  of  the  to%ra,  diuring  the  i)ast  sixty  years, 
than  by  an  exhibit  of  the  census  covering  that  period. 

Population  in  1790,  331  ;  in  1800,  872  ;  in  1810,  1607  ; 
in  1820,  1823;  in  1830,  2200;  in  18  lO,  3005;  in  1850, 
4005  ;  present  population,  (in  1859.)  about  5000.  Ninety 
years  ago,  there  was  but  one  habitation  within  the  present 
limits  of  the  town,  v.hilc  to-day,  the  nunihtr  of  dvrellings 
is  seven  hundred. 

The  increase  of  po|>ulation  and  wealth  of  the  to\vn,  has 
been  steady  and  uiiii  i'j:ghig,  and  when  its  resources,  and 
facilities,  shall  recei'-'^/  tiie  further  attention  of  developing 


f 


CAMDEN  AS  IT  IS,  257 

enterprise,  it  will  assume  the  prominent  position  its  situa- 
tion and  advantages  entitle  it  to.  And  as  a  place  of  resi- 
dence, or  resort,  the  healthfulncss  of  the  locality,  and  the 
rarely  excelled  beauty  of  the  scenery,  makes  it  one  of  the 
raost  desirable  in  Xe^^■  England,  And,  in  order  to  make 
the  to^vn  ever  attractive,  \vc  should,  as  a  community, 
discountenance  every  thing  that  is  banefid  to  society,  by 
sustaining  the  teachings  of  morality,  and  upholding  the 
precepts  of  Christianity. 


BUSINESS  REGISTER, 

SHOWING  THE   OCCUPATIONS   OF    THOSE   DOING  BUSINESS 
IN  TOAVN,  IN  THE   SPRING  OF  16-39. 


[Ovring  to  the  large  number  engaged  in  agricultural  and  nautical 
pursuits,  our  limited  space  here  compels  us  to  omit  theni.] 

CAMDEX  VILLAGE. 
Agricultural  Implements^  dealers  in,  —  A.  D.  d:  E.  D. 
Mansfield. 

Apotliecaries,  —  Jos.  H.  Estabrook,  Edwin  C.  Fletcher, 
Amhrotypist,  —  Albert  M.  Anderson. 
Attorneys  and  Counselors  at  Law,  —  Smart  &  Simonton. 
Bakers,  —  Horton  &  Alden. 

Be^f  and  general  Provision  dealers,  —  Carleton,  Clark  &; 
Co.,  Norwood  &  Green. 

Blacksmiths,  —  Samuel  Chase,  Geo.  Kaler,  A.  D.  &  E.  D. 
Mansfield,  Harrison  Richardson,  Russell  <Sc  Andrews.  Abel 
D.  Tyler. 

Block  JIanufactory,  —  Horatio  Alden  &  Co. 

Books,  Stationery,  Jledicines  and  Fancy  Goods,  dealer 
in,  Wm.  Merriam. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Manufacturers, — Jabez  Ames,  Samuel 
Bragden,  Greenlow  ^Sl  Woodsom,  Chas.  F.  Hosmer. 

Botanic  JL  dicines,  —  ]Mrs.  L.  H.  G.  Rawson. 

Brick  Maker,— T,  Collins. 

Cabinet  Maker  and  Sexton,  —  Geo.  W.  Cobb. 

Carpenters,  Master  Ship, — Thos.  C.  Bartlett,  Thos.  B. 
Hod^rman,  Jos.  Stetson. 

Carver,  —  Jere.  C.  Cushin:^, 

Caulkers,  —  Edmund  Barnes,  Archibald  Bux-hanan,  Alex, 
Buchanan. 


BUSINESS  IlEGISXr.R. 


2o9 


Cooper,  —  Isaiali  Barbour.  - 
Dentist y  —  John  F.  Lord. 
Deputy  Sherirr,  —  Geo.  AV.  Simonton. 
Dry  Goods  and  Carpetings,  dealer  in,  —  Geo.  L.  Fol- 
lans"bee. 

Express  Agents, — Jno.  W.  K.  Xorwood,  E.  M.  Wood. 

J^ish  JIarket, — John  Ames. 

Fish  Carer  and  In^i.>^cror,  —  Duvid  L,  Fernald. 

Furniture  Dealer,  —  Chas.  F.  Hobbs. 

Grocers,  Provisions,  Ship  Chandlery,  and  Fishermen's 
Oufjits,  decders  in.  —  S.  G.  Adams  <S:  Sons,  X.  E.  v!^.:  S.  A. 
Jones. 

Grist-mills,  —  Alden  and  others,  Xathan  Pierce,  James 
Richards. 

Hair  Dressers,  —  Fred'k  E.  Foi-t,  .-Ubort  Lovell. 

Harness  and  TrurJc  Shop,  —  S.  Hunt  6z  Sons. 

Hotel  Keepers, —  Erastus  X,  Pen^Ueton,  Mountain  ITouse  ; 
Geo.  "W.  Simonton,  Megunticook  House. 

Insurance  A<jtats,  —  J.  W.  K.  Xor%Yood;  E.  M.  Wood, 
Fire  and  Marine. 

Iron  Foiindry,  —  Henry  Kniijht,  D.  Kno-\vlton  &:  Co. 

Joiners,  Shin  and  Hons^,  —  Isaac  B.  Bartlett,  J.  C. 
Gushing,  Robt.  Davis,  Geo.  W.  B.  McDonaki,  Georo;e  W. 
Glover,  Xath'l  L.  Josselyn,  Geo.  Lamb,  Joseph  G.  ^finck, 
Joseph  Perr}%  Daniel  Richards,  Benj.  F.  Tyler,  Sshan'is 
Young. 

Li)ne  Manjifarfyrprs.  —  S.  G.  Adams  iV;  Sons,  W.  G. 
Barrett,  X.  C.  Fletcher,  X.  B.  &  S.  A.  Jones,  Joseph  C. 
Stetson. 

Livery  Stable,  —  James  ^V.  Clark,  Wra.  A.  L.  Rawson, 
Josiah  S.  Hobbs. 

Lumber  Deah rs,  —  S.  Hunt  &  Sons. 

^['irhine  Shoo,  —  David  Knowlton  Co. 
JIasoi'S,  —  Fred  1%.  Loriway,  HoUis  M.  Lamb,  Andrevv- 
McKellar. 

3Iarhle  TForAvj/-, —Amh-e-vv  E.  Clark.        •  . 
22  ■ 


260 


BUSINESS  EEGISTER. 


Ilercliant  Tailors,  —  E.  C.  Daniels,  Wm.  Pulverinann, 
Paul  Stevens. 

Millinery^  Dry  avd  Fancy  Goods,  dealers  in,  —  'Mrs. 
Olive  A.  Blaisdcll,  Miss  ^Vlary  F.  Cleavcland,  Mrs,  Sarah 
Fowler,  ^Irs.  Augusta  W.  Flobbs. 

Mutual  Store,  —  Harvey  H.  Cleaveland. 

Notaries  FuhUc,  —  lHiD.m  Bass,  N.  C.  Fletcher,  E.  M. 
Wood. 

Oakum  Factory,  —  Horatio  .'Uden, 

Fhysicians,  —  Jos.  H.  Estabrook,  Theo.  L.  Estabrook, 
Jona.  Huse. 

Fainters  and  Glaziers,  —  G.  C,  Andren-s,  Se\vall  Conant. 
Fenmanship  Teacher,  —  Silas  C.  Thomas, 
Fowder  Jlills,  —  Bisbee,  Marble  &  Co. 
Fhig  and  Wedye  Mill^  —  Amasa  Gould. 
Fefreshmcntii,  —  Timo.  Fernald,  Vinal  R.  Perkins,  Isaac 
Thomas,  Silas  C.  Thomas. 
Fiiggtr,  —  Nicholas  Berry. 
Sail  Makers,  —  Berry  Philbrook. 
Sash,  Blind,  and  Door  Factory,  —  Pcn-y  &  Wood. 
Saw  Mills,  —  H.  Alden  and  others,  Jas.  Richards. 
Stave  Mill,  —  AugTistus  Thomas. 

Steamboat  Agents,  —  X.  B.  &c  S.  A.  Jones,  E.  M.  Wood. 

Tanners  and  Curriers,  —  Thorndike,  Scott  Co. 

Telegraph  Operator, — J.  H.  Estabrook. 

Tin  Flate  Workers,  and  dealers  in  Stoves  and  Tin 
Wares,  —  Elijah  Hardin,  Henry  Knight^  Closes  L.  Parker. 

Trucknun,  —  Wm.  W.  Currier,  Joel  P.  Dulfy. 

Water  Fipe  Mam'/acfurer  and  Layer,  —  Geo.  Collins. 

Watch  Maker  arid  Jticdler^,  and  dealer  Watches, 
Clocks,  Jewelry  and  Fancy  Goods,  —  John  L.  Locke. 

Wheelwrights,  —  Alex.  Farrar,  Bczealor  Knight. 

W.  I.  Goods,  Gr(:n'iri>:i  and  Frorisions,  drolers  in, — 
Jno.  H.  Curtis,  Epn  m  1 .  Howe,  Jas.  Perry,  Mia.s  PijJcr,  jr. 
Jas.  Seward,  Jos.  C.  St'-ts^jn,  Jo-s.  Stockbridge. 


BUSINESS  REGISTER. 


2G1 


ROCKPORT. 
Aj}otJiecary,  —  H.  B.  Eaton. 

Attorney  and  Counselor  at  Law\  Notary  PuhJic  and  Jn- 
sicra'-'ce  Ajrut.  —  yathl  T.  Talbot. 

U'^aclsmiths,  —  Ferd.  Hanson,  George  Sidelinger,  "Wm. 
Woltz. 

Books,  Stationery  and  Fancy  Goods,  dealer  in,  —  C.  M. 
Kniglit. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Manufacturers,  —  Joel  L.  Martin,  Ezra 
Merriam , 

Cahinet  and  Ship  Wheel  Manufacturer,  —  R.  A.  Rice. 

Carjjenters,  Jfasttr  Ship.  —  Albert  Eells,  Jno.  X.  Farn- 
liam,  Sanford  Libby,  Jno.  Pascal. 

Caulkers,  —  Chas.  C.  Carey,  Jonas  Merriam. 

Dealers  hi  Groceries,  W.  I.  Goods,  Hard  Ware,  Pro- 
visions, and  Shij)  Chandlery,  —  Carleton,  Norwood  &  Co., 
David  Talbot. 

Dealers  in  Groceries,  W.  I.  Goods  and  Provisions, — 
Andrews  &:  Simonton,  C.  d:  E.  Ban-ows,  A.  S.  EcUs,  Ilii-am 
Hartford,  Alex.  [Martin,  ]Merriam  &  Shepherd. 

Harness  JfaLer, —  C.:SL  Kiiight. 

Ho^el  Keeper,  —  Jno.  D.  Rust,  Rockport  House. 

Ice,  Lime,  and  Lurnher  dealers,  —  Carlton,  Rust  &  Co. 

Li/ne  Manufacturers,  —  C.  &  E.  Barrows,  Carleton  & 
Norwood,  Hiram  Hartford,  Merriam  &  Shepherd,  Abner 
Miller,  Jere.  Mclntire,  Austin  Sweatland,  David  Talbot, 
Christopher  Young. 

Joiners,  House  and  Ship,  —  Jno.  W.  Achorn,  Joseph  H. 
Ecwcrs,  Alex.  Paschal,  Alonzo  P.  Payson. 

Lliery  Stall e,— Jno.  D.  Rust. 

Masons,  —  Edtrar  Andrews,  Joseph  Andrews,  Oliver  An- 
drews. Wm.  Andrews,  "\Vm.  Rollins,  Chas.  Thorndike. 

Mlilinery  and  Fancy  Goods,  Dealers  in,  —  >[issc3 
Champney  60  Eight. 

Mi'Un'^rs  and  Dress  Makers^  —  Harriet  N.  6c  Arethusa 
T.  Barrett. 


■•'P. I 


1 


f 


262  BUSINESS  REGISTER.  ; 

Fainters  and  Glazitrs,  —  Benj.  V.  Sumner,  ]MclviIl  Sum- 
ner. C.  H.  Daily. 

P]i}jsician,  —  Hosea  B.  Eaton. 

B'^/ri-:<uin-::)it  S'-doon^  —  J.  G.  Carver.  - 
Si'il  Jl'iker.  —  Wm.  Washburn. 

Ship  Builders,  —  Carleton,  Xorwood  Co.,  D,  Talbot, 
Christopher  Young. 

T'lilor  a)id  Drrrotr,  —  H.  H.  Baiubridge. 
.  Trhgraph  Operator,  —  C.  M.  Kni>?ht. 

Tifi  Plate  Worker  ami  deal'jr  in.  Tin  Ware  and  Stoves^ 
—  J.  G.  Elkins. 

Trackmen,  —  Aiphonzo  Corthell,  Wm.  Cortheil,  James 
Mcl.can. 

Wheelwright,  —  Hanson  Antlrews.  ■  ■ 

ROCKVILLE. 
Blacksmith  and  Wheehcright,  —  Stephen  Coombs. 
Bools,  Stationery  and  Jledicines, — Bullvin  11.  Hewett. 
Boot  and  Shoe  Maher,  —  Henry  EwelL 
Carjjenttrs,  House.  —  Chas.  Studley,  Henry  Eweli. 
Cooper  Shop,  —  Stephen  Barrows. 
Corn,  Flour,  and  Provision  deader,  —  Otis  Wade. 
Dr;/  Good.^  and  Prorisinns,  d-^aJer  in  —  Amos  Barnes. 
Grocer,  —  David  Tolraan. 

Sash,  Blind  and  .Door  Factorij,  —  S.  6c  G.  S.  Barrows. 
Stave  and  Shingle  JliU. 

Slaughter  Houses,  —  Amos  Fisk,  Chas.  W.  Smith. 
Tanner,  —  Otis  Wade. 

W.  [.  Goods  and  Groceries,  dealer  in,  —  Elisha  Gurney, 
.\lbert  :M.  Packard. 

WEST-CAMDEX. 

Blacksmiths,  —  Elliot  Orberton,  William  Orberton. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Jlakr-r,  —  Hanson  Ewell, 

B  d.h^.,,JF<u:tor>/.  —  YAv::\Td  6c  Milc^  Leach. 

Ci'.ri  ':i't^rs,  ILj'isf,  —  Win,  Acb.orn,  Ju.s.  Blood.. 
.   ^''ji'u.  Flour,  W.  I.  G^.od<,  Gro'-'ries  and  Provisions, 
dealers  in.  —  Robt.  W.  Messer,  Christopher  Young. 


BUSINESS  EEGISTER. 


263 


Grist-3nU,  —  B.  ^  M.  Leach. 
H'j^el  Kcepei\  —  Calvin  Hememvay. 

Li.-ne  JIanv/adurers.  —  Wm.  Andrews,  Thos.  Ilemen- 
way,  Cliristopher  Youns?. 

Faini'':r,  —  Rufus  S.  Blackinton. 

Saw-JIcUs,  —  Estate  of  Randall  Tolman,  Jno.  Ingi'aliani. 

SUiugliter  House,  Richardson. 

W/Li^eUrright,  —  Josiah  Achorn. 

SDIOXTOX'S  CORNER.  ' 

Lime  JIanufacfi' rers, — Jos.  AUenwood,  Jno.  Annis.  Jr., 
J.  AV.  Ar.ni^,  Jno.  Brown,  Philip  Brown,  Jno.  W.  Biizzel, 
Jos.  W.  Coombs,  x\lex.  Harrington,  Levi  Morton,  Ab'm 
Simonton,  Wm.  P.  Simonton,  Samuel  Simpson. 

S  air.  Mill  ^  —  J  as.  Andrews. 

Shingle-Mill,  —  Jas.  Andrews. 

Stave-Mills,  —  Jas.  Andrews,  Jno.  Brown. 

PFJXCIPAL  TOWX  OFFICERS  FOR  YE.1R  E.NDL\G  )lARtII,  1^51 

Sdectmen,  —  Hiram  Bass,  Jno.  C.  Cleaveland,  Abel 
!Merriam. 

Toirn  Clerk,  —  Wm.  Carleton. 
Trf-asurer,  —  Jas.  Clark. 

Srhool  Superv'sor,  —  Rev.  Edward  Freeman.        .  ;  •  ■ 
Bepresentative, — Epiiralm  K.  Smart. 


U.  S.  Revenue  O^r/icer,  —  Geo.  B.  ]Moore,  Deputy  Col- 
lector. 


21* 


264 


BUSINESS  KEGISTER. 


NAMES  OF  THOSE  WHO  HAVE  OCCUPIED  THE  OFFICE 
OF  POST-MASTER  IN 

Camdex. 

Wm.  Eaton,  fironi  1794  to  1797.  Jno.  Hathaway,  to 
1799.  Benj.  Cushincr,  to  1830.  Jos.  HaU,  to  1833.  Jolin 
Eacrer,  to  1837.    J.  Hail,  to  1838.    E.  K.  Smart,  to  1841. 

Hiram  Bass,  to  1845.     E.  K.  Smart,  to   .  Jona. 

Kuse,  to  1849.  J.  W.  K.  Norwood,  to  1853.  B.  J. 
Porter,  present  Post-master. 

ROCKPGRT. 

Silas  Piper,  1st;  Alex.  :\rartiii,  2d ;  Thos.  Spear,  3d; 
Alex.  MaFtin,  4th,  and  present  Post-master. 

ROCKVILLE. 

Alvin  R.  Hewett,  Post-master  from  the  time  the  office 
was  established,  until  the  present  time. 

"VVest-Camdex. 

Stephen  Barrows,  1st;  George  Norwood,  2d;  Calvin 
Heraenway,  3d,  and  present  Post-master. 


r 


X  .a 


y 

I 


APPENDIX. 


Extracts  relating  to  the  Twenty  Associates,  as  connected 
ivith.  the  ante-plantation  history  of  Camden,  copied  exactly, 
errors  and  all,  from  the  Boston  Chronicle,  from  Monday, 
Dec.  26,  176S,  to  Zvlonday,  Jan.  2,  1769. 

*'  Public  Xotice  is  hereoy  given,  that  the  Proprietors, 
commonly  called  fh'".  Ticenfy  Asaociides  of  the  Lincolnshire 
company,  owners  of  an  100,000  acres  of  land  laying  East 
of  St.  George's  River,  did  at  their  meeting,  Sept.  6,  1766, 
le^-y  a  tax  of  10s  on  each  twentieth  or  vshole  .sliare  ;  and 
at  their  meeting,  April  13,  1767,  levied  a  further  tax  of 
10s  on  each  tv\-entieth,  and  at  their  meeting,  Nov.  19,  1  767, 
levied  a  further  t:ix  of  24s  on  each  twentieth,  making  on 
the  whole,  £.5, 4s,  lawful  money  on  each  twentieth  or  whole 
sliare  ;  a  considerable  portion  of  the  above  taxes  are  yet 
unpaid.  This  is  therefore,  to  notify  the  delinquent  Pro- 
prietors, that  so  much  of  their  interest  in  the  aforesaid 
lands  will  be  sold  by  Public  Auction  as  will  be  necessary 
for  discharging  the  taxes  greeable  to  the  Province  Law  in 
six  months  from  the  date  thereof,  unless  prevented  by  pay- 
ment. 

"  By  order  of  the  Proprietors. 

**Xath.  Appleton,  Prop.  Clerk." 

'•WHEREAS,  thp  Proprietors  of  a  Tr^irt  of  Land  just 
beloiv  St.  (Jf'or'j;' ^  li'Kcr,  commonly  caiird  the  Twenty 
Associates  of  the  Lincolnshire  com.pany,  ar-  oicners  of 
several  whole  shares  and  parts  of  shares  in  common^  each 


266 


APPENDIX. 


tchole  share  containing  upwards  of  5000  acres.  This  is 
to  give  public  Xotice,  that  one  of  these  Avhole,  viz : — No. 
17.  originally  owned  by  John  Ouiton,  Esq.;  will  be 
sold  at  public  Auction,  at  the  Bunch  of  Grapes  in  Boston, 
on  the  17th  day  of  Jan.  ne?-:t,  between  12  and  1  o'clock,  if 
not  sold  at  private  sale  before,  agi-eeable  to  the  Proprietors' 
vote  at  their  meeting  14th  instant  For  further  particalars 
enquire  of 

"  Xath.  Appletox,  Prop.  Clerk. 

"X.  B.  The  proprietors  aforesaid,  are  now  settling  a 
to^^Tiship  called  Camden,  on  part  of  tlie  above  said  land, 
situated  and  measuring  six  miles  on  the  ocean,  and  includes 
two  verv"  good  harbors,  the  land  is  good,  well  wooded  and 
watered,  several  fine  settlers'  lots,  containing  120  acres  are 
yet  to  be  given  away  upon  the  most  reasonable  terms  of 
settlement,  to  any  good  person  inclining  to  settle  in  a  pleas- 
ant part  of  the  country,  with  good  neighbors. 

"  Thv  risht  and  title  to  these  lands  are  not  disputed  by 
any,  the  settlers  performing  the  proprietors'  conditions,  are 
to  have  a  good  warrantee  deed  of  their  lots.  For  further 
particulars  enquire  as  above. 

"Dec.  15,  1768." 


In  a  letter  recently  received  from  Cyrus  Eaton,  Esq.,  we 
are  led  to  believe  that  the  tradition  mentioned  on  page  53, 
relating  to  the  town  of  Hope  being  thus  named  by  accident, 
is  incorrect,  as  lie  says,  while  once  looking  over  the  Knox 
papers,  he  found  facts  whicli  proved  that  it  was  thus  named 
by  the  Twenty  Associates  intentionally. 

Mr.  Eaton,  in  alluding  to  the  mention  we  make,  on  page 
76,  to  "Federal  llenre^imtativp,"  truly  says,  that,  '••  Tr>ough 
the  friends  and  opponents  of  tlio  new  Constitution  soon 
became  distinguished  by  the  terms  Federal  and  Anti- 
Federal,  yet  the  term  'Federal  Representative,'  and  'Fed- 


i 


APPENDIX. 


267 


cral  Government,'  were  also  used  in  no  invidious  or  party 
sense  in  contra-distinction  to  '  State  Representatives,'  and 
'  State  Governments,'  as  we  still  speak  of  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution, <Scc.'' 

On  page  69,  v^  e  spolie  of  a  law  relating  to  tlie  warning 
of  persons  out  of  town.  We  have  since  found  that  sucli 
law  was  in  force  in  Massachusetts,  as  early  as  1692,  and 
that  it  was  in  operation  until  Feb.  11,  1794. 

On  pages  20  and  21,  we  relate  a  tradition  concerning  the 
death  of  Gen.  Waldo.  In  the  fifth  volume  of  the  ^Nlaine 
Historical  Collections,  (issued  from  the  press  shice  sn.ch 
was  ^M'itten.)  is  Gov.  PownaU's  private  journal  of  hi>  voy- 
age irom  Boston  to  Penobscoc  ri\er,  in  1759,  trom  ^vhlch, 
and  the  marginal  note  appended  by  Jos.  Wiiliam.son.  F'sq., 
of  Beilast,  we  find  positive  proof  that  Gen.  Waldo  did 
not  die  while  in  a  boat,  but  while  upon  the  land. 


EREATA. 


On  page  22,  11th  line  from  top,  read  100,000,  instead  of  100,100. 
On  page  38,  seventh  line  from  bottom,  read  effected  instead  of 
affected. 

On  page  -il,  fifteenth  line  from  bottom,  read  Burton  instead  of 
Benton. 

On  page  63,  tenth  line  from  top,  read  as,  in  place  of  a. 
On  page  127,  in  marginal  note,  read  circumstance  instead  of  cir- 
cumstances. 

The  military  troubles  mentioned  on  page  163,  belong  to  the 
period  of  1S33,  on  the  lo9th  page,  instead  of  1837. 

On  page  174,  maKe  the  sentence  to  read  *' Also  the  £ag  staff," 
since  placed  "  in  front  of  Dr.  Estabroolc's  office,"  &c. 

On  page  19-5,  fourteenth  line  from  top,  read  ordained  in  place  of 
installed. 

In.  the  marginal  note  on  page  211,  read  before  •*  the  conclusion  of 
the  war,"  instead  of  "  at." 


I 

i 
j 


'4190 


I 


I